The drill was attended and directed by Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, Deputy Minister of Public Security, and Duong Duc Tuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee.
Speaking at the opening of the drill, Tuan said that since the beginning of 2025, Hanoi has recorded 1,017 fires and one explosion, resulting in 27 deaths and 18 injuries. Property losses were estimated at VND50.2 billion (US$2.0 million). Of these incidents, 60 fires occurred in high-rise buildings, accounting for around 6 percent of the total.
Overview of the event.
The Hanoi Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police, working closely with local firefighting forces and community teams, directly handled 672 fire incidents. The teams rescued 138 people and safely guided hundreds of others trapped in fires to evacuate.
Tuan stressed that, in response to urgent practical demands, the city's Party Committee, People's Council and People's Committee have issued numerous directives, resolutions and guidance documents in recent years to strengthen fire prevention, firefighting and rescue efforts.
Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan.
As a result, these efforts across the capital have seen comprehensive and positive improvements. Capacity in management, prevention and emergency response to fires, explosions and accidents has been steadily enhanced, contributing to social safety and order and supporting the city's sustainable development.
He said the drill provided an opportunity to practice emergency response skills and improve coordination among ministries, neighboring localities, city agencies, businesses and the public. It also aimed to raise awareness and improve firefighting and evacuation skills among on-site response forces and residents.
Overview of the event.
In his remarks, Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen noted that fire and explosion risks remain complex and unpredictable, especially amid rapid urbanization. Nationwide, Vietnam records an average of about ten fires and one explosion each day.
He said the drill was intended to strengthen readiness and response capacity and improve coordination in firefighting, evacuation and rescue operations. It also aimed to enhance the effectiveness of command and operational mechanisms among participating forces and equipment when handling fires, explosions and accidents in high-rise and densely populated areas.
Overview of the event.
Tuyen called on all participating units and personnel to maintain high focus and discipline, closely coordinate and strictly follow assigned tasks and command instructions. He emphasized the need to fully comply with tactical and technical requirements and to ensure absolute safety for all personnel and participants throughout the drill.
Overview of the event.
The simulated scenario included eight consecutive situations involving fire, explosions and accidents. The fire was assumed to spread rapidly, with hundreds of people trapped and in need of rescue. These scenarios closely reflected real incidents in high-rise buildings in Hanoi and required the coordinated deployment of multiple firefighting, containment and rescue measures by police, military forces, on-site units and relevant departments.
The drill mobilized more than 4,000 participants and over 100 vehicles, including helicopters and firefighting robots. It involved ministries, city agencies, neighboring provinces and local residents. This was one of the largest-scale fire prevention, firefighting and rescue drills held in the capital in recent years.