16/07/2026
CRIMINAL RISKS FOR FOREIGN MANAGERS IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & FIRE SAFETY INCIDENTS
1. Potential Criminal Charges
Managers may face prosecution under:
* Article 295 for violations of occupational safety regulations.
* Article 313 for violations of fire prevention and fighting regulations.
Serious accidents, deaths, or severe injuries can trigger criminal investigations, with penalties of up to 12 years in prison.
2. Personal Liability of Managers
Criminal responsibility is determined based on the person directly responsible for safety management—not automatically the highest-ranking executive. Factory Managers, Workshop Supervisors, HSE Managers, and other responsible individuals may be prosecuted for failures such as inadequate training, insufficient PPE, ignored safety risks, or failure to maintain fire safety systems.
3. Exit Ban and Operational Consequences
After a serious accident or fire, foreign managers may face an exit ban during the investigation and legal proceedings. This can disrupt their personal lives, careers, and the operations of the FDI enterprise.
4. APlus Law’s Risk Prevention Solutions
FDI enterprises should:
* Clearly define safety responsibilities through formal Delegation of Authority (DoA) and job descriptions.
* Conduct regular HSE and fire safety compliance audits and maintain complete evidence of training, PPE distribution, and equipment inspections.
* Consider D&O insurance to cover legal and defense costs.
* Prepare a crisis response plan and involve criminal lawyers immediately after a serious incident.
Conclusion:
For FDI factories, safety compliance is not merely an operational requirement—it is essential to protecting both the business and the personal freedom of foreign managers. Proactive compliance, clear responsibility allocation, and timely legal support are crucial to minimizing criminal risks in Vietnam.