Compilation of Common Violations During the Tet Holiday in Vietnam

Traffic Violations Due to Alcohol Consumption in Vietnam

Drinking alcohol during Tet holidays is an unavoidable and undeniable activity. Due to the festive excitement, we sometimes forget the regulation "Don't drink and drive". Consequently, when being pulled over, we have no choice but to accept the penalty. Decree 46/2016/ND-CP stipulates administrative penalties for participating in traffic while consuming alcohol as follows:

Disrupting Public Order in Vietnam

When intoxicated, people often lose control over their emotions and behavior. In excessive drinking parties or gambling sessions, conflicts between individuals or groups can occur. This results in disorder, affecting those around them.

For such disruptive behaviors, minor violations can be subjected to administrative fines ranging from 100,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND (Article 5 Decree 167/2013/ND-CP).

If the behavior qualifies as a criminal offense, the offender could face criminal charges for Disturbing Public Order (Article 318 Criminal Code 2015).

Gambling for Money Leading to Imprisonment in Vietnam

Decree 167/2013/ND-CP stipulates administrative penalties for illegal gambling activities as follows:

- Fines from 200,000 to 500,000 VND for purchasing lottery numbers.

- Fines from 1 to 2 million VND for the following activities:

+ Illegal gambling such as dice games, card games, dominoes, tam cuc, three trees, four colors, red-black chess, or other forms where winnings are in money or property;

+ Gambling on illegal electronic machines or games;

+ Selling lottery tickets or other materials for lottery gambling

- Fines from 2 to 5 million VND for receiving money deposits, pawning, lending at gambling sites or hiding illegal gambling activities.

- Fines from 5 to 10 million VND for:

+ Encouraging, luring, gathering others to gamble illegally;

+ Using one's residence or other premises to host gambling activities;

+ Setting up illegal gambling machines, electronic games;

+ Organizing illegal betting activities.

- Fines from 10 to 20 million VND for:

+ Being a lottery organizer;

+ Organizing the production and distribution of lottery tickets or materials for lottery gambling;

+ Organizing a network to sell lottery numbers.

Articles 320, 321 of the Criminal Code 2015 outline prison sentences for Gambling and Organizing Gambling, with penalties up to 7 years and 10 years in prison respectively.

Selling, Storing, and Using Explosive Fireworks in Vietnam

Trading in explosive fireworks is a prohibited business sector (Investment Law 2014, amended in 2016). Therefore, selling, storing, or using explosive fireworks is a legal violation. Depending on the specifics, this act can result in administrative sanctions according to Decree 167/2013/ND-CP or criminal prosecution under the Criminal Code 2015.

Overcharging for Food, Beverages, and Tourist Visas in Vietnam

In reality, the prices of goods and services tend to rise 2 or 3 times during Tet compared to regular days. Violations of the pricing laws will be subject to administrative fines under Decree 49/2016/ND-CP as amended and supplemented by Decree 109/2013/ND-CP:

- Fines from 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND for:

+ Failing to list prices of goods or services at the locations required by law;

+ Listing prices unclearly, causing confusion for customers.

- ...

- Fines from 20 to 30 million VND for selling goods or services at prices higher than the listed prices, for goods and services under Price Stabilization List, Limited Business Category, or Conditional Business Category.

- Fines up to 55 million VND for unjustified price increases or decreases of goods and services.

-Thuy Phu-

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE