Hung Vuong Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City installs safety net following Van Hanh Mall incidents

As observed by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper's reporters on Saturday, the atrium of Hung Vuong Plaza – which comprises a basement and seven above-ground floors – is now covered with a securely fastened mesh system spanning the open space between the floors.

This installation follows similar safety enhancements at Van Hanh Mall, located in District 10 of the city, which, along with Hung Vuong Plaza, is managed by Kido Group, a major Vietnamese food and beverage producer.

A security guard at Hung Vuong Plaza informed Tuoi Tre that the netting was fully installed on Thursday, coinciding with the peak of Vietnam's Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers' Day (May 1) holidays.

Some visitors to Hung Vuong Plaza have expressed surprise at the mall's new appearance, with many pausing to observe the newly installed safety netting.

However, when patrons closely approach or lean on the tempered glass railings adjacent to the atrium, security personnel promptly advise them to maintain a safe distance.

In addition to the netting, Hung Vuong Plaza has tightened other security measures similar to those implemented at Van Hanh Mall to prevent incidents related to the atrium area.

Security staff presence has also been increased, according to the security guard.

"Previously, one person could oversee two floors," he explained.

"Now, each floor has at least one staff member on duty at all times, with increased patrols to promptly detect and handle unexpected situations."

All the aforementioned steps in the plaza were taken after Van Hanh Mall, which also has a basement and seven above-ground floors, completed the installation of a similar safety net in its atrium area on April 29.

This measure was implemented to ensure the safety of shoppers and businesses within the mall, following three recent fatal falls – all from the seventh floor – suspected to be suicides occurring in March and April.

The first incident occurred on March 17, involving a 15-year-old male teenager, a resident of the city, who fell from the seventh floor of the mall.

On April 9, a similar case resulted in the death of a 32-year-old man from Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam.

The third fatality took place on April 26, when a 23-year-old man from Binh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam dropped from the same floor, according to VTC News.