To maintain a safe environment, authorities have intensified inspections and are guiding traders to strictly follow safety regulations, ensuring the community can enjoy the holiday without worry.

At Noong Bua Market, which houses 94 households trading various commodities, many of which are highly flammable like dry goods and clothing, fire prevention has been a priority since the start of the year. The management board focuses on checking safety conditions and reminding business owners to keep walkways clear and escape corridors unobstructed. Maintaining these wide paths is crucial not only for shoppers but also for allowing firefighting forces to gain rapid access during an emergency.

Trịnh Đức Thuận, a member of the market management board, explains that they conduct nightly electrical safety checks after traders have finished their day, even cutting the main circuit breaker to eliminate the risk of overnight shorts. Supported by an eleven-person civil defense team, all regular traders have been equipped with portable extinguishers and trained in basic firefighting skills to ensure they remain proactive rather than panicked if a situation arises.

To protect lives and property during the spring festivities, the province has mandated that all units strengthen their fire prevention efforts. Between February 2 and 10, the fire police collaborated with the Department of Construction to inspect eleven markets across the province. While most management boards are equipped with essential tools like water pumps, protective gear, and specialized axes, the inspections revealed that some challenges persist. In several locations, flammable materials still obstruct exit routes, and some traders have illegally expanded their stalls or used unauthorized electrical connections that bypass the managed system. To raise awareness, the fire police have combined these inspections with direct education, requiring facility owners to sign formal safety commitments ahead of the Lunar New Year.

At Him Lam Market in Điện Biên Phủ ward, where goods are replenished constantly, the management board monitors electrical systems closely and prohibits the use of heat-emitting devices in trading areas. Lê Thị Ngọc, a trader specializing in clothing and footwear, maintains high safety standards by ensuring all her wiring is encased in protective conduit and keeping her fire extinguisher in a highly visible location. Lieutenant Colonel Phạm Thanh Phong, Head of the Fire Prevention Division under the provincial Police, emphasizes that fire safety is an urgent task requiring the cooperation of authorities, traders, and the public. He stresses the “4 on-site” principle, utilizing local forces, command, means, and logistics, as the key to managing incidents in their earliest stages to prevent catastrophic damage.

Ultimately, while Tết is a time for family reunions, keeping these essential commercial hubs safe is a collective responsibility. It is not just about government enforcement; it relies on the constant vigilance and sense of responsibility of every trader and citizen to ensure that the holiday remains a time of joy and safety.