On November 5, Vietnam's National Assembly discussed several bills, including amendments to the law on fire prevention and rescue.
The draft proposes replacing fire safety acceptance inspections with post-inspections and replacing prior approval for fire safety vehicles and materials with product quality controls.
Lawmakers supported cutting compliance time and costs but said fire safety management must remain effective. A correct design does not mean a building was constructed correctly, and an acceptance record does not mean every safety risk has been eliminated.
Lawmakers proposed classifying buildings by risk. Buildings with high fire risk, large crowds, many apartments or complex evacuation conditions should undergo independent checks before use. Other buildings could use self-acceptance with post-inspections and random checks.
A Hanoi project was cited as an example of an approved fire safety design that was not followed during construction. The project had not passed acceptance even though residents had moved in.
“A buyer can inspect an apartment when receiving it, but it is difficult to assess whether the fire safety measures match the approved design,” lawmaker Cao Manh Linh said. Fixing a violation after residents move in could require the building to stop operating or residents to relocate.
Linh said removing acceptance inspections may not save businesses time because authorities would still need to compare the design, inspect the building or test its systems.
He proposed checking fire safety solutions as part of the construction acceptance procedure and making apartment handover readiness public.
Fines for acceptance violations may increase
Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang said fire safety acceptance inspections had been abolished on July 1, 2026, under Government Resolution 66.18. The draft law would codify the change.
The minister said current law already provides administrative and criminal penalties. The draft adds requirements for developers, building owners and vehicle owners to support post-inspections and enforcement.
After amendments to the law on administrative violations are passed, the Ministry of Public Security will ask the government to amend Decree 106 on administrative fines in the fire safety sector.
Fines would increase for failing to conduct fire safety acceptance, conducting it contrary to regulations or failing to follow an approved design.
The draft would add measures to stop construction, operation or use and to protect people and property. Possible enforcement measures include cutting utilities and telecommunications, sealing a building or site, and temporarily suspending vehicle registration and inspection.
Sources: Thanh Niên
