BackStories » Vietnam » Vietnam's Updated Penal Code Might Put Polluters Behind Bars From 2018

Vietnam’s Penal Code has been amended to become more stringent against individuals caught polluting the environment, now making them subject to jail terms instead of mere cash fines for offenses.

The updated Penal Code which went into effect starting January 1, states that people found guilty of dumping waste and causing damage to the environment will be fined up to VND3 billion (US$132,159) or jailed for up to seven years, according to Tuoi Tre.

The last Penal Code which was put into effect in 2009 held owners of manufacturing facilities or businesses that cause “severe or particularly serious consequences” to the environment responsible for violations. That law did not specify parameters to determine the severity of offenses.

Hoang Van Thuc, deputy head of the General Department of Environment explained to Tuoi Tre why the original law failed to provide environmental protection. “As it was impossible to rule that a business has severely polluted the environment, most of the individuals responsible were able to avoid criminal charges.”

For example, the proprietor of Pacific Crystal, a Chinese-owned textile factory in Hai Duong Province, only bore a mere administrative fine of VND672 million (US$30,000) for being caught dumping untreated wastewater into the environment last February.

Thuc elaborated that the amended 2015 Penal Code, which is effective this year, includes more specific and measurable parameters for enforcement, such as the volume of wastewater or the mass of dumped solid waste, as well as the number of violations accumulated, which makes charging violators less challenging.

He explained: “This means from now on, businesses that pay little attention to technology or waste treatment systems are more likely to face jail terms.”

The General Department of Environment inspected nearly 1,000 businesses in 2015 and 2016 and found that up to 30% of them were in violation standards set to protect the environment.

Thuc added: “These violators may have been able to avoid criminal charges but the new law now has measurable parameters to file criminal charges against them.”

[Photo via Tuoi Tre]


Related Articles:

From 2018, Vietnam Will Punish Pedestrians for Violating Traffic Laws

Saigon Tax Department Orders Facebook Cosmetic Vendor to Pay $400,000 in Back Taxes

In 10 Years, Da Lat Might Run out of Clean Water Due to Pollution


Related Articles

in Vietnam

$14 Million Approved For Restoration Of Hanoi’s 112-Year-Old Long Biên Bridge

The fate of one of Vietnam’s most beloved and storied structures took another positive turn last week when the government approved a $14 million restoration package for Long Biên Bridge.

in Vietnam

'Amazing Race Vietnam' Apologizes for Challenge Harming Coral Reef

An underwater challenge during this year’s installment of The Amazing Race Vietnam is not sitting well with environmentalists.

in Vietnam

'Engaging With Vietnam' Conference Ruminates on Heritage in Huế

“Living with Heritage, (Re)Creating Heritage: Vietnam and the World” is the title of the 14th Engaging with Vietnam conference, a series of activities including academic panel discussions, keynote tal...

in Vietnam

10 Beautiful Photos of Sapa's Majestic Snow

Last weekend's snowstorm in Sapa drew photographers from all over northern Vietnam who jumped at the opportunity to capture some great photos of the town's snow-covered hills, roads and residents.&nbs...

in Vietnam

10 Killed, Over 30 Missing in Central and Northern Vietnam as Storm Son-Tinh Brings Flash Floods

Heavy rains from storm Son-Tinh, which eventually weakened to a tropical depression, have caused flash floods and fatalities in central Vietnam.

in Vietnam

104-Year-Old Great-Great Grandmother Fights Off Robber

Taking advantage of the elderly will inevitably result in some bad karma, a lesson a Dong Nai man quickly learned after attempting to rob Vo Thi Bai, a 104-year-old woman.

Partner Content