These days, residents of Block 10, Ha Huy Tap Ward, are very upset and angry about the situation where trees in their block are being cut down by vandals. Every day, people come to see the scene, heartbroken to witness the healthy trees lying scattered on the road, sap still oozing from the cut wounds.
Ms. Thai Thi Ly, a resident of Block 10, Ha Huy Tap Ward, said: "These trees are located in a recreational area for the residents. They were planted by the people about two years ago and are now tall and provide shade. However, on October 7th, one mango tree was cut down at the trunk by vandals, almost causing it to fall."
Fearing the tree would fall, causing accidents and disrupting traffic, the locals gathered to re-erect it and reported the incident to the local authorities for appropriate action.
However, on the evening of October 11th and the early morning of October 12th, the vandalism continued in the area. Specifically, a sapodilla tree about 3 meters from a mango tree was cut in half by the perpetrators. Furthermore, the canopy over the playground and the notice board used by residents were also damaged and broken. Residents said that because the incidents occurred late at night, there were no witnesses.
According to observations by reporters on October 13th, two mango and sapodilla trees, approximately 7-9 meters tall, had both fallen and been uprooted. Nearby, a public recreational area was also destroyed, with fresh welding marks and overturned stone benches…
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ba, a resident of Block 10, Ha Huy Tap Ward, shared: "This community playground covers an area of about 30 square meters and is located on public land. Previously, it was a dumping ground for household waste, causing environmental pollution. Therefore, about two years ago, residents in the block contributed over 40 million VND to renovate the area. Since then, it has become a healthy recreational spot for the residents, where children read books, adults chat, and play chess. There is also a bulletin board here to announce news from the ward and the city so that people can stay informed."
“When we renovated the public playground, we also planted trees for shade, and everyone was happy. But unexpectedly, today the trees have been cut down, the playground has been demolished, and the people are very angry…” – Mr. Ba sighed.
On October 12th, the Vinh City Green Park Joint Stock Company issued Report No. 64/BC-CVCX regarding the continuous destruction of trees on Phan Canh Quang Street, Ha Huy Tap Ward. According to the report, on October 9th and 12th, the company received notifications from residents of Block 10, Ha Huy Tap Ward, that trees on the sidewalk in front of house number 31 on Phan Canh Quang Street had been cut down. After on-site inspection, it was determined that on the sidewalk in front of house number 31 on Phan Canh Quang Street, Vinh City, a mango tree with a trunk diameter of 0.45m and a height of 7-8 meters had been cut down on October 7th, 2023; and a sapodilla tree with a trunk diameter of 0.25m and a height of 6-7 meters had been cut down on the morning of October 12th, 2023 (around 00:30 AM).
The company coordinated with the City Urban Order Team and the Ha Huy Tap Ward Urban Regulations Team to conduct an inspection and record the unauthorized cutting down of city-managed trees.
Regarding this issue, Mr. Ngo Xuan Nam – Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Huy Tap Ward – said: Immediately after receiving complaints from the people, the local authorities were present at the scene and recorded the incident, while also reviewing community cameras to verify the perpetrators. In fact, on the evening of October 11th and the early morning of October 12th, several young men were seen moving around the area; however, because the camera did not cover the entire tree area, there was insufficient evidence to determine whether or not the tree was cut down.
“Currently, the local authorities are coordinating with the police to verify and investigate the perpetrators who cut down the ornamental trees; at the same time, we advise the people to install cameras in this area to monitor and supervise. If the perpetrators continue to do this, there will be grounds to strictly handle them according to the law,” said Mr. Ngo Xuan Nam.
Notably, according to residents, this is not the first time trees in this area have been cut down. Previously, on November 16, 2021, similar acts of vandalism occurred in the area. The Urban Regulations Team of the People's Committee of Ha Huy Tap Ward also recorded a report on the act of vandalism against one household in the block, specifically on the embankment of Kenh Bac Street intersecting with Phan Canh Quang Street. At that time, the trees cut down included two 8-meter-tall banyan trees that were cut at the trunk and three 2-3 meter-tall red-fruited betel nut trees that were cut at the base. Thus, in this area, after two years, seven trees have been cut down without reason, causing public outrage.
During the exchange, representatives from the Vinh City leadership stated that they had received the information; they also directed the Ha Huy Tap ward and the police force to verify and clarify the matter, and will strictly handle the individuals who vandalized the trees in the area.
Regarding this issue, according to Clause 3, Article 54 of Decree No. 16/2022/ND-CP dated January 28, 2022, regulating administrative penalties for construction violations, a fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 50,000,000 shall be imposed for the act of arbitrarily cutting down, relocating, digging up the roots of urban trees or cutting the roots of trees without permission.
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