Ho Chi Minh City police crack down on sidewalk encroachment at key hotspots

The Hang Xanh traffic police unit under the Traffic Police Division of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security continued to team up with local authorities and police officers in Duc Nhuan Ward to conduct patrols and handle violations involving the illegal use of sidewalks and roadways.

At around 8:30 am, officers discovered a cake shop on Phan Xich Long Street in Duc Nhuan Ward placing display cabinets on the sidewalk.

The shop owner was booked for the offense of unlawfully using sidewalks and roadways for commercial purposes, which carries a fine of VND2-3 million (US$76-114).

Five minutes later, police detected a car driven by T.Q.P., a 29-year-old Ho Chi Minh City resident, parked on the sidewalk along Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street.

The driver was subjected to a fine of between VND800,000 ($30) and VND1 million ($38) for illicit sidewalk parking.

At 9:05 am, another driver, D.D.P.D., 45, was found parking his car against the direction of traffic on the same street and was fined VND600,000-800,000 ($23-30).

The task force also recorded numerous cases of motorbikes parked illegally on the sidewalks along Phan Xich Long and Nguyen Dinh Chieu Streets.

Each violation is subject to a fine ranging from VND400,000 ($15) to VND600,000 ($23).

Alongside enforcement, officers conducted on-the-spot education and reminders for residents and vendors who had placed cabinets, pushcarts, tables, and chairs on the sidewalks for business activities, aiming to raise public awareness and compliance with traffic and urban order regulations.

On the same day, the Tan Son Nhat traffic police unit coordinated with the administrative police division for social order and police in Tay Thanh Ward to restore roadbed and sidewalk order around the Tay Thanh apartment complex.

Authorities found many residents selling vegetables and fruit on the roadway, while motorbikes belonging to both sellers and customers were parked haphazardly on the street, obstructing traffic and posing potential accident risks.

Under current regulations, illegally using sidewalks or roadways for selling goods is punishable by a fine of VND2-3 million ($76-114).

Parking motorbikes on the roadway in a manner that obstructs traffic carries fines of VND400,000-600,000 ($15-23) per case.

Several violating signboards, pushcarts, and umbrellas were confiscated.

Police said that the enforcement campaign reflects a common policy that requires strict public compliance.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Tan Son Nhat traffic police unit, in coordination with police in Tan Son Ward, conducted inspections along Pham Van Bach Street, another hotspot for sidewalk encroachment.

The operation resulted in multiple administrative penalties and the seizure of signboards, pushcarts, and umbrellas.

Officers also explained regulations to residents, stressing that sidewalks and roadways must not be encroached upon.