Vietnam café owner fined $483 for unauthorized sidewalk tree planting

The case involves a café named The Canopy on Vo Nguyen Giap Street in Tan Lap Ward.

In late July, following complaints that the business had used machinery to damage the grass and irrigation system while planting trees on the sidewalk, the ward’s urban order enforcement team conducted an on-site inspection.

According to a record dated July 27, the construction work had damaged 50 square meters of carpet grass and four plastic irrigation sprinkler heads, while an additional 80 square meters of grass had been dug up.

The inspection also found that L.C.H., 37, the owner of The Canopy and a resident of Tan Lap Ward, had planted 22 date palms and American fan palms on the sidewalk in front of the establishment without obtaining the required authorization.

H. said he had submitted an application for permission, but some adjustments to the proposed work required additional documentation during the approval process.

He explained that he had proceeded with the work because he wanted to finish it on time.

He also cited heavy vehicle traffic and the need to provide an entrance and parking space for customers, saying the arrangement was intended to help prevent traffic safety risks and accidents in the area.

H. expressed his willingness to remedy the violations identified during the inspection.

The Tan Lap Ward People's Committee ordered him to stop construction on the land and restore the affected areas to their original condition, including the damaged grass, irrigation sprinkler heads, and trees.

Regarding the 22 trees planted without authorization, the owner was instructed to restore the sidewalk to its original state and wait until the necessary permits were granted before proceeding with any further work.

However, during a follow-up inspection on July 30, the urban order enforcement team found that H. had yet to address the violations identified in the July 27 record, despite the ward authorities' instructions.

The ward's economic and infrastructure division then booked H. for breaching regulations on the protection of trees, parks, and flower gardens, specifically for illegally planting trees on the sidewalk.

The chairman of the ward subsequently issued a decision imposing an administrative fine of VND12.5 million on H. for illegally planting trees on the sidewalk in front of The Canopy on Vo Nguyen Giap Street.

The decision also required him to restore the affected sidewalk to its original condition.

More than two months after the penalty was imposed, H. had paid the fine, but the 22 date palms and American fan palms remained on the sidewalk, and the required restoration work had not been completed.

The sidewalk along the entrance to the café also featured several decorative water jars, flowers, and landscaped displays.

The Tan Lap Ward People's Committee has recently issued a dispatch regarding a survey and plan to renovate and improve the sidewalk in front of The Canopy.

Accordingly, the ward agreed in principle to allow the sidewalk improvements to be funded voluntarily by the business owner.

During the planning process, the establishment must work with local authorities to agree on the design, ensuring that it is consistent with existing conditions, the urban landscape, the sidewalk's intended function, and traffic safety requirements.

The business must also complete the necessary documentation and submit the plan to the Ward People's Committee for consideration before commencing any work.