A proposed raise in administrative penalties sparks concern over fairness and enforcement.
During a group discussion at the National Assembly on the afternoon of May 16, lawmakers debated proposed amendments to the Law on Administrative Penalties, including a controversial proposal to increase the maximum fine for traffic violations to VND 200 million (approximately USD 8,000).
Major General Nguyen Thi Xuan, delegate from Dak Lak Province
The draft law proposes doubling the maximum administrative fines in Hanoi and inner-city areas of centrally governed municipalities for several sectors: road traffic, environmental protection, public security, social order and safety, culture, advertising, land use, construction, fire prevention, and food safety.
Major General Nguyen Thi Xuan, Deputy Director of Dak Lak Provincial Police, argued that the existing fine levels in public security regulations - unchanged for 14 years - are outdated and insufficient, particularly in road traffic.
She cited cases where drivers deliberately go against traffic on expressways, posing extreme risks due to high-speed traffic. "Even under Decree 168, the maximum VND 75 million fine isn't strong enough to deter violations," she said.
Xuan proposed raising the maximum fine for road, rail, and waterway violations to VND 150-200 million (USD 6,000–8,000).
She emphasized that without serious financial deterrents, violators may prefer paying the fines and continuing their misconduct. She also advocated for broader traffic education and awareness campaigns as a sustainable solution.
In the field of data management, the draft law currently proposes a maximum fine of VND 100 million (USD 4,000). However, Xuan argued that illegal data sharing could seriously impact national security, politics, the economy, and individual rights. She recommended raising the penalty to VND 500 million (USD 20,000).
Delegate Le Huu Tri
For cybersecurity and information safety violations, she proposed increasing the maximum fine to VND 200–250 million (USD 8,000–10,000). In the field of mineral resources, she suggested fines as high as VND 2 billion (USD 80,000) for violations involving illegal exploitation or environmental damage.
Representative Le Huu Tri (Khanh Hoa) supported increasing fines but criticized the proposal for applying only to Hanoi and centrally governed cities. He called for nationwide implementation, citing rising and increasingly severe violations in advertising, land encroachment, unauthorized construction, fire safety, and food safety.
“In many countries, even improper trash disposal carries heavy penalties. We need stronger fines to bring behavior in line with legal expectations,” Tri said. He urged further review and increases in fine levels across all sectors, even if it cannot be fully addressed in the current legislative session.
On the other hand, Representative Tran Thi Van (Bac Ninh) said existing maximum fines are already high and effective. She cautioned against disproportionate penalties, noting the financial realities of everyday citizens.
Delegate Pham Van Hoa from Dong Thap Province.
"A small electric car today costs just over VND 200 million. Public servants earn just over VND 10 million monthly. A VND 150–200 million fine is overwhelming," Van argued. She emphasized the importance of adjusting penalties to match violators' income levels and intentions, adding that some violations may occur unintentionally, like running a red light due to distraction.
Representative Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap) agreed that fines should be strict but warned against excessive penalties that could devastate livelihoods.
“In some cases, people would have to sell their cars just to pay the fine. For many, these vehicles are their only means of making a living,” he noted, adding that fines should also reflect citizens’ financial capacity.
“Punishments must be stern enough to prevent and deter, but also reasonable for ordinary people,” he concluded.
Vietnamnet.vn
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