7 illegal parking lots shut down around major hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City

One of the illegal parking lots was discovered outside Campus 2 of the University Medical Center at 5A Ly Thuong Kiet Street.

A large portion of the pedestrian sidewalk had been taken over by individuals operating the unlicensed parking service for motorbikes.

Dozens of motorbikes were found lined up in two rows, blocking the entrance to the hospital.

When questioned by the inspection team, a representative of the parking lot, identified as L.V.L., a 39-year-old resident of Dong Nai Province, failed to show a valid operating permit.

He stated that the lot’s owner was not present at the time.

Police confirmed that while the owner held a license to temporarily operate on a section of the sidewalk on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, the license had expired in 2023 and was only valid for that specific location.

Nevertheless, the operator had illegally extended operations to the Ly Thuong Kiet side of the hospital, which was not covered under the original permit.

The parking lot operator also presented a document allegedly issued by the hospital in April 2025, requesting permission from the People's Committee of the former District 5 to allow a parking lot at the Nguyen Chi Thanh entrance, citing capacity issues within the hospital’s own facilities.

A similar violation was found in front of Hung Vuong Hospital, also on Ly Thuong Kiet Street.

The illegal parking lot had not only occupied the entire pedestrian sidewalk but also installed iron fencing to create a makeshift parking area.

L.V.L., a 56-year-old resident of Ha Tinh Province, north-central Vietnam, representing the lot, was unable to provide any permits or authorization for the operation.

Police immediately dismantled the illegal fencing to restore pedestrian access.

The officers booked the representatives of the two parking lots for the unauthorized use of public sidewalks and roadways - a violation that requires permits under Vietnamese law.

Dozens of motorbikes were impounded, and lot owners were summoned for further investigation.

Over the past four days, the inspection team has identified and addressed seven unlicensed parking lots around the University Medical Center, Cho Ray Hospital, and other sites.

The Cho Lon Ward People’s Committee has issued administrative fines of VND12.5 million (US$473) each to four individuals under Article 12, Clause 12 of Decree 168, which governs the temporary use of sidewalks and roadways.

Violations included operating without permits or with expired ones.

Police said that the violated parking lots had permits that expired in 2023 and were still awaiting renewal.

The ward police will continue both routine and unannounced inspections, while educating the public on maintaining urban order.

These efforts are aimed at putting an end to the occupation of sidewalks around hospitals and creating a more civilized, orderly, green, clean, and beautiful urban environment, contributing to improving conditions for both patients and residents.