Decree No. 69/2026/NĐ-CP: New provisions on fire safety violations effective from April 20, 2026.

“On March 6, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 69/2026/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 106/2025/NĐ-CP on administrative penalties in the field of fire prevention, firefighting (, and evacuation. The Decree officially takes effect on April 20, 2026, aiming to address practical difficulties in implementation and to strengthen deterrence against violations.

The following is a summary of the core updates that companies must grasp to remain compliant:

1. Adjustment of sanctioning authority — the maximum fine limit has been raised

“The Decree amends Articles 30–36 of Decree No. 106/2025/NĐ-CP to align with Decree No. 189/2025/NĐ-CP, thereby significantly increasing the maximum monetary penalties under the authority of certain competent entities.

People’s Police Officer

VND 5 million

Team Leader of the Task Force

VND 15 million

Chairperson of District Authority

VND 25 million

Head of Division

VND 40 million

Director of functional Provincial Departments

VND 40 million

Director of Provincial Police Department

VND 50 million

At the same time, the Decree supplements provisions that clearly define the sanctioning authority of the Directors of the Departments of Construction, Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Environment; the Director General of the Vietnam Register; and the Director General of the Insurance Supervision and Management Department — thereby providing a clearer legal basis for inter-sectoral inspection and enforcement.

“2. Repeat violations: apply aggravating circumstances instead of cumulative fines.

According to Clauses 6, 7, and 8 added to Article 3 of Decree No. 106/2025/NĐ-CP: organizations and individuals that commit repeated violations of the same act within a facility subject to fire prevention and fighting management will not be penalized separately for each violation, but will be sanctioned once with aggravating circumstances. This provision aims to ensure administrative consistency and avoid ‘stacked penalties’ that could cause disputes in practice. 

3. Clarifying the responsibilities of tenants, borrowers, and shared users of facilities.

The Decree adds provisions that establish clear sanctioning principles for organizations and individuals who rent, borrow, or temporarily reside in housing when violating fire prevention and rescue regulations. This is a highly practical update, particularly relevant to shared office models, industrial zones, and multi-tenant commercial buildings.

4. Addition of new violations and adjustment of penalty levels.

The Decree supplements certain violations that were previously unregulated or insufficiently regulated under Decree No. 106/2025/NĐ-CP, including:

Equipping mechanical fire-fighting and rescue equipment that does not meet the required quantity or technical standards — fine ranging from VND 30 to 40 million.

Failure to maintain the required water reserves for fire-fighting — fine up to VND 5 million.

“Using a facility head who has not been trained or certified in fire prevention and rescue operations — fine ranging from VND 6 to 8 million.

5. Adjustment of suspension periods for certain violations.

The Decree reduces the minimum suspension period of operations for certain violations, thereby allowing businesses to remedy issues more quickly.

Commencing use of a facility without fire safety approval will now carry a suspension period of 1–6 months, reduced from the previous 3–6 months.

Operating a facility without emergency exits or escape routes will now result in a suspension period of 1–3 months, reduced from the previous 3–6 months.

Buildings constructed without adequate fire safety spacing will now face suspension periods of 1–3 months, reduced from the previous 6–12 months.

6. Allowing violations to be sanctioned in the electronic environment.

The changes introduced in Decree No. 69/2026/NĐ-CP not only tighten sanctioning measures but also impose higher compliance requirements on all organizations and businesses in the field of fire prevention and fighting. Proactively reviewing records, updating regulations, and building a compliance culture from today will help enterprises minimize legal risks, safeguard their reputation, and ensure sustainable development

Compliance with fire prevention and fighting is also an important part of the overall picture of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and responsible business practices throughout the supply chain.

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