The proposal was discussed at a recent city meeting reviewing efforts to address food safety bottlenecks and launch the month of for food safety this year.
According to the municipal Department of Health, 173 out of 231 encroaching roadside food stalls have been cleared, while 101 substandard small-scale slaughterhouses have been shut down.
Enforcement has also been tightened, with local authorities fining 927 violators more than VND 5.9 billion (USD 224,335). Police have prosecuted five cases involving 10 suspects linked to the production and sale of counterfeit food products.
The city is expanding the use of technology, with AI cameras set to operate 24/7 and automatically detect violations for faster, more accurate enforcement.
Hanoi also plans to expand the use of QR codes at traditional market stalls and operate a dedicated hotline channel under the 1022 call centre to receive public feedback.
A proposed food testing centre meeting international standards in Ha Dong Ward, with an estimated cost of VND 312 billion, is seen as key to strengthening the city’s food safety monitoring capacity.
Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Thu Ha said food safety management must be carried out consistently and transparently, with stronger use of digital tools to improve oversight and public trust.
She called for full transparency in implementation, with all processes, data and results documented and subject to inspection at any time.
Food businesses will be required to install surveillance cameras and connect to monitoring systems, while ensuring full disclosure of menus and food portions, particularly in schools and canteens.
Authorities will conduct a comprehensive review after the month-long campaign to assess effectiveness and consider policy adjustments, with a view to scaling up successful models.