Unauthorized Ambulance Use for Film Premiere Sparks Outrage in Ho Chi Minh City

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Public outrage has ensued in Ho Chi Minh City following the unauthorized use of an ambulance to transport actors to a film premiere. This incident drew criticism after officials confirmed the vehicle's improper use and history of violations. Videos showing the ambulance arriving with sirens blaring and lights flashing at a mall on Cao Thang Street went viral, igniting public condemnation and sparking a debate on the misuse of emergency resources.

Tang Chi Thuong, director of the city's Department of Health, clarified that the ambulance in question was not sanctioned for emergency services. The vehicle, once belonging to the now-dissolved Phuoc Duc company, was previously fined on June 28, 2024, for similar breaches. For the latest violation, police fined the ambulance driver VND2.5 million ($97.75).

Nguyen Duy Long, from the city's 115 Emergency Center, stressed the detrimental impact such misuse could have on public trust and the reputation of the healthcare sector. Vietnamese law strictly regulates ambulance usage, restricting the activation of sirens and lights to genuine emergencies, including the transport of patients in critical need or attending to major incidents like natural disasters.

The incident highlights the dire need for maintaining the integrity of emergency services and ensuring that vehicles designated for medical emergencies are used appropriately, underscoring broader concerns about the potential consequences of such actions on public safety and healthcare credibility, reported VN Express.