An investigation conducted by Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Fire-Fighting Police in 2010 showed that more than 60 percent of high-rise apartment buildings in Vietnam violated fire safety regulations.
According to the investigation that has recently been revealed, there were 1,709 apartment buildings with more than 5 floors, including 336 buildings with over 10 floors in HCMC in 2010.
638 of them were found to violate fire safety regulations. Some didn’t have fire equipment and some used equipment that was too old. Many allowed valet parking attendants to cook in their basement garages.
Recent fire accidents at high-rise apartment buildings
August 27, 2011: A fire broke out on the 7th floor of Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower, the tallest building in Vietnam. Two fires also broke out at this building in 2010.
February, 15, 2011: A fire broke out on the 14th floor of Golden Tower on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street in District 3, forcing many offices to close.
March, 10, 2010: A fire swept through the 18-floor apartment building JSC3 at 164 Khuat Duy Tien Alley in Hanoi’s Thanh Xuan District, killing two people and seriously injuring four others.
April, 25, 2009: A fire hit Kumho Asiana Plaza which was under construction on Le Duan Street in HCMC’s District 1.
March, 27, 2007: A fire raged the 20-floor Diamond Plaza in downtown HCMC. At the same time, another fire erupted on the 15th floor of Mieu Noi Apartment Building in Binh Thanh District.
