Be cautious when enjoying kite flying.

(PLVN) - Kite flying has long been a traditional folk pastime associated with the childhood of many generations of Vietnamese people. However, in modern times, when kites "spread their wings" over urban areas, power lines, highways, and airplanes, they pose a danger. Recent accidents, property damage, and even loss of life have raised serious questions about the need to tighten management of unregulated kite flying activities.

Báo Pháp Luật Việt Nam•04/06/2025

Tragic accidents

On the afternoon of May 25, 2025, Soc Son General Hospital ( Hanoi ) received 14-year-old Luu Van V. in critical condition after being electrocuted while flying a kite near power lines. According to his family, while flying a kite, the boy's kite became entangled in power lines near his house. While trying to free it, he used a conductive stick, causing an electrical discharge that resulted in deep burns and severe injuries to multiple parts of his body.

Around 5 PM on May 13th, three 13-year-old boys in Thuong Vuc commune, Chuong My district (Hanoi) were flying kites in a field when their kites got entangled in high-voltage power lines. They used metal rods, carrying each other on their shoulders to retrieve the kites, but were electrocuted, causing all three to fall into a nearby ditch. According to the leader of the Thuong Vuc commune People's Committee, when residents discovered them, one student had already died, another was unconscious and taken to Hospital 103 for emergency treatment, and the third suffered burns. A metal rod was found next to them.

Earlier on April 21st, in Trung Son commune, Viet Yen town, Bac Giang province, a 12-year-old boy was electrocuted while using a stainless steel stick to remove a kite that had gotten caught in a power line…

A designated area for kite flying is needed.

Statistics from the Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN) show that hundreds of power outages related to kites occur each year. In 2023 alone, EVN recorded more than 900 power outages caused by kites getting entangled in power lines, many of which occurred in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai – densely populated urban areas.

Modern kites use dangerous strings; the traditional, harmless cotton strings are no longer common. From these rudimentary materials, kites have been upgraded with LED-lit frames, steel wires, and wires mixed with metallic threads for electrical conductivity, measuring 2-3 meters wide and 4-5 meters long. Some "giant" kites, several meters long with strings stretching hundreds of meters, are flown from high-rise apartment buildings, causing concern and anxiety among residents.

According to folk kite artist Nguyen Thanh Van from the Phoenix Kite Club, Ho Chi Minh City Cultural Center, the people's need for entertainment is real and should be respected. However, kite flying activities that cause accidents and pose many dangers must be strictly prohibited by local authorities.

A solution that ensures both safety and recreational activities for the public is to designate a designated area where people are allowed to fly kites. Safety education programs for kite flying should be implemented in schools, especially at the primary and secondary levels. Simultaneously, neighborhood committees and parent associations should coordinate with local authorities to organize awareness campaigns at the beginning of each summer.

In addition, authorities need to control the quality of kites and kite strings sold on the market; prohibiting the production and sale of kites with metal strings, hazardous materials, or sizes exceeding safe limits.

According to the law, in certain special areas such as near airports and high-voltage power lines, people are prohibited from flying kites. According to Decree 17/2022/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the electricity sector, organizations and individuals flying kites or any other objects that cause power grid incidents will be fined from VND 5,000,000 to VND 10,000,000; they will also be required to compensate for damages in accordance with State regulations. In cases causing serious incidents, fires, widespread power outages, electrical accidents, etc., legal action will be taken.

Thuy Duong

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/can-trong-voi-thu-vui-tha-dieu-post550695.html