The case of taking an ambulance to a press conference: If the vehicle's origin is traced, will the manufacturer be fined?

On the evening of March 26, an ambulance flashed its lights and blared its siren, causing passersby to reflexively move out of the way. When it stopped in front of a shopping mall on Cao Thang Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, and the famous actors got out in a glamorous manner, people realized that they were there to attend the premiere of the movie "The Yin and Yang Road", the car was just a prop to make the promotion more impressive and dramatic.

It was impressive, but completely negative. The performance, which was based on illegal behavior, caused a wave of criticism on social media with angry comments.

Very quickly, the police agency drew up an administrative violation report against the driver of this ambulance and fined him 2.5 million VND for using a priority signaling device that was not in accordance with regulations, and at the same time revoked the vehicle's signaling device license.

According to a report from the Department of Health, the ambulance with license plate 51B-330.80 is not on the list of ambulances of emergency transport support facilities licensed to operate by the Department of Health.

This vehicle was inspected and fined by the Department of Health inspector in 2024 due to information discovering illegal advertising online.

The vehicle is owned by Phuoc Duc Ambulance Company Limited (District 8, Ho Chi Minh City), a company represented by Mr. PTT. Phuoc Duc Company was fined for illegal advertising and operating in violation of regulations in the field of emergency. After being discovered and handled, this company was dissolved.

A notable point is that although the ambulance with license plate 51B-330.80 is owned by Mr. PTT, the license to use the priority signaling device was granted to Thai Loi Service Company Limited.

According to information looked up from the Business Information Portal of the Department of Finance, Thai Loi Service Company Limited was granted a business license in the field of "emergency services, patient transportation support" and has also been dissolved.

In addition, the Health Department Inspectorate received unconfirmed information that Phuoc Duc Ambulance Company Limited has an ambulance rental contract with 115 An Tam Company Limited. The Health Department Inspectorate will verify and clarify this content.

Many people agreed that the driver was right to be fined, because he must have known that what he did was a violation. But those who followed the incident immediately asked: Shouldn't the driver be fined? What about the artists and crew who planned to hire an ambulance to sound its siren and flash its lights on the street just for "show"?

They are also the ones who deliberately violate the law, indirectly causing the vehicle to have its signal device license "revoked", and who knows, because of that, some people may have delayed treatment. Using priority lights and sirens at the wrong time can cause confusion for road users and affect traffic safety. This behavior can also reduce public confidence in the health system and emergency services.

Ambulances are designed and used to rescue patients. Misuse is a waste of medical resources, can deprive people in need of treatment and hinder real rescue operations. Their behavior is also an abus.e, mockin.g the community's legal awareness, showing disrespect for the community and the medical industry.

Therefore, just punishing the driver is not enough, the authorities need to consider the responsibility of the entire film crew and related artists.

The film's media representative has admitted their mistake, they probably did not expect the public reaction to be so negative. However, an apology cannot cover up the wrongdoing that has occurred, there must be specific punishments to ensure the strictness of the law. The influence of artists and celebrities on the public is very large, especially the youth. If their deviant behavior is not handled properly, the youth will easily be misguided and negative behavior will be "replicated" and spread.

Through this, the authorities need to increase propaganda about the importance of using priority vehicles such as ambulances properly, as well as the consequences of violations. At the same time, relevant forces need to strictly control the licensing and use of priority signaling devices, ensuring that only vehicles that are truly necessary are equipped with and use these devices.

The controversial advertisement "I just want to be carefree" caused controversy, the Vietnam Advertising Association spoke up JLO20:26:45 22/03/2025Last week, the billboards "I just want to be carefree" placed in many central locations of Ho Chi Minh City received great attention from the public. Most passersby thought that the advertisement carried a negative message and was not constructive.