Nguyen Ngoc Hau, vice chairman of the Xuan Huong-Da Lat Ward People’s Committee, said on Sept. 13 that local authorities had issued the administrative fine to H.N.M., a resident of the An Son area, for cutting down an urban tree without authorization.

M. had previously posted two videos on TikTok showing himself cutting into the base of a three-needle pine tree about five meters tall and 35 centimeters in trunk diameter.

The videos attracted more than 300,000 likes.

In the footage, M. used tools to cut around the base of the tree and explained how to cause it to gradually dry out and die.

He later used a chainsaw to fell the tree and take its timber, saying the pine was several decades old and that the wood would be used to make tables and chairs.

After discovering the videos, authorities in Xuan Huong-Da Lat Ward summoned M. for questioning on Sept. 7 and subsequently documented the administrative violation.

According to Hau, the tree stood within the grounds of a private residence. It was not on forest land and was not classified as a forestry tree.

However, because it was located within the urban area, its removal was still subject to regulations governing urban trees.

Local officials said the case was among the latest violations they had handled and reminded residents that anyone wishing to remove a tree, including during the storm and rainy season, must notify local authorities so its condition can first be assessed.

After receiving a request, relevant agencies, including forest rangers, will inspect the tree and determine its condition before deciding whether its removal can proceed in accordance with regulations.

Local authorities advised residents not to cut down urban trees without permission from the relevant agencies.

Xuan Ngoc