Releasing sky lanterns during Tet can result in fines

Lawyer Nguyen Thi Thuy, YouMe Law Firm LLC replied:

Clause 2, Article 7, Chapter II of Decree No. 144/2021/ND-CP stipulating administrative sanctions for violations in the fields of security, order, and social safety; prevention and control of social evils; fire prevention and fighting; rescue; prevention and control of domestic violence (Decree No. 144/2021/ND-CP) stipulates on public order as follows:

2. A fine of from VND 1,000,000 to VND 2,000,000 shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Using alcohol, beer, stimulants causing public disorder;

b) Organizing or participating in gatherings of many people in public places causing public disorder;

c) Allowing pets to cause injury or property damage to other organizations or individuals without being prosecuted;

d) Flying kites, balloons, and other flying toys in prohibited areas or protected target areas;

d) Using unmanned aircraft or ultralight aircraft that have not been registered for a flight license or organizing flight activities without a license or having registered but not controlling the flight at the correct time, location, area, coordinates, or permitted limits;

e) Obstructing, harassing, or causing trouble to others when loading, transporting, or keeping luggage at markets, wharves, bus stations, airports, ports, railway stations, and other public places;

g) Burning and releasing "sky lanterns";

h) Not having enough records and documents to carry when operating unmanned aircraft and ultralight aircraft;

i) Organizing flight activities of unmanned aircraft and ultralight aircraft when the person directly operating and using them does not meet the flight eligibility standards;

k) Organizing flight activities of unmanned aircraft and ultralight aircraft when the aircraft does not meet the flight eligibility standards;

l) Spraying paint, writing, drawing, pasting, attaching images or content on walls, electric poles or other locations in residential areas, public places, apartment buildings, citizen residences or other constructions without permission from competent authorities.

Clause 2, Article 4 of Decree No. 144/2021/ND-CP stipulates the maximum fine level and organizations subject to administrative sanctions as follows:

2. The fine level prescribed in Chapter II of this Decree is the fine level applied to administrative violations of individuals. For organizations committing the same violation, the fine level is twice the fine level applied to individuals.

Thus, releasing sky lanterns on the occasion of Lunar New Year 2025 may be subject to a fine of VND 1,000,000 to VND 2,000,000 for individuals and VND 2,000,000 to VND 4,000,000 for organizations according to the above regulations.