Vietnam High-Rises Face Fire Risks from Careless Resident Habits

As high-rise apartments rapidly proliferate in Vietnam's urban centers, residents' careless habits are increasingly posing fire risks. A fire in early 2026 at a Hanoi apartment building, caused by a short-circuiting dryer, highlights the dangers of resident complacency. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but residents reflected on how their negligence affected their neighbors. Building management officials note that many residents carry over their ground-level living habits to high-rise environments. Past incidents include residents burning large amounts of "bo ket" (traditional Vietnamese incense) in rooms for purification rituals or cooking with charcoal on balconies. These actions generate smoke and odor, triggering fire alarms and causing evacuation scares. Furthermore, the use of common corridors as personal storage space, narrowing evacuation routes, is also a concern. Bicycles, shoe racks, and plant pots can obstruct pathways, potentially hindering emergency evacuations. Some residents justify these actions by stating they posed no issues at their previous ground-level homes. Improper use of electrical appliances is another major fire cause. Reported cases include a robot vacuum cleaner, activated by its program, getting entangled in curtains and igniting, and a pot left unattended while cooking that eventually burned. Additionally, overheating during electric bicycle charging, multi-plug usage, prolonged continuous operation of electrical devices, and inadequate maintenance of air conditioner outdoor units are significant short-circuit risks. Factors hindering early fire suppression are also present. There have been instances where fire doors in stairwells were propped open for ventilation, disabling their smoke-blocking function. Frequent false alarms, caused by smoke or heat detectors placed too close to kitchens or by residents cooking in enclosed spaces or burning incense, have led some residents to disable warning systems. This creates a risk of losing early warnings during a real fire. According to the Vietnam Fire Police Department, over 1,500 fires were recorded in the first half of 2026, with over three-quarters of those with identified causes linked to electrical system or equipment malfunctions. Experts emphasize that resident awareness is the key to fire prevention. Regular awareness campaigns, practical evacuation drills, and clear accountability for each household are essential to reduce fire risks. In high-rise buildings, the actions of one resident can impact the safety of hundreds of others.