Vietnam: Electricity-using customers shall have the obligations to use electricity safely, thriftily and efficiently

According to Article 46 of the Law on Electricity 2004 of Vietnam, the electricity-using customers shall have the following rights:

- To select the electricity sellers in the competitive electricity-retailing market;

- To be supplied with adequate electricity volume, output, be assured of electricity quality, already agreed upon in contracts;

- To request the electricity sellers to promptly restore the electricity supply after blackouts;

- To be supplied with, or briefed on, information related to electricity trading and the guidance on electric safety;

- To be compensated for damage caused by the electricity sellers according to law provisions;

- To request the electricity sellers to check the electricity service quality, the precision of electricity-measuring or -counting equipment, the payable electricity charges;

- To complain about, denounce acts of violating legislation on electricity by electricity sellers;

- Other rights prescribed by law.

In addition to having rights, the electricity-using customers shall have the following obligations:

- To pay electricity charges fully and on time and to fulfill other agreements in electricity trading contracts;

- To use electricity safely, thriftily and efficiently; to comply with regulations on management of electricity demands;

- To promptly switch off electricity supply or reduce the electricity consumption level upon receipt of notices of the electricity sellers in the cases prescribed in Article 27 of this Law;

- To notify the electricity sellers five days in advance of their need to temporarily cease their electricity use, fifteen days in advance of their wish to terminate the electricity purchase and sale contracts;

- To promptly notify the electricity sellers of abnormal phenomena upon detection thereof, which may cause blackouts, unsafety to people and properties;

- To create conditions for electricity sellers to check the meters, inscribe figures indicated on meters and contact customers;

- To ensure the technical standards and safety requirements of electrical appliances;

- To pay compensations for damage caused to electricity sellers according to law provisions;

- To be responsible for investing in transmission lines from meters' outlets to electricity-using places;

- Other obligations prescribed by law.

The Law on Electricity 2004 of Vietnam takes effect from July 01, 2005.

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