The plan will be implemented in three phases. The first will be carried out from now until 2025, the second from 2026-2030, and the third from 2031-2045.

The budget for the first stage is estimated at VND1.5 trillion ($62 million), the second at nearly VND3 trillion ($124 million), and the third at VND5 trillion ($206 million).

The program will be submitted to the 14th meeting of the Ha Noi People's Council, which opens on December 5, for discussion and approval.

In proposing the program, the Ha Noi People's Committee said the city has faced several major fire incidents in recent years, resulting in high casualties and property damage.

From 2013 to 2023, Ha Noi has experienced nearly 4,500 fires, 18 explosions, and more than 8,000 minor incidents related to fire and explosives. Of the total, more than 130 cases cause fatal consequences and high property damages.

The proposal also reported that about 200 people were killed and more than 270 injured in fires and explosions in the past 10 years.

The most tragic fire occurred on September 12-13, when a nine-story tenement building in Thanh Xuan District's Ha Dinh Ward was set ablaze, killing 56 people, injuring nearly 100 others, and damaging the entire building.

On July 8, a fire destroyed a five-storey house in Tho Quan Alley, Kham Thien Street, killing one adult and two children.

To strengthen and improve the quality of fire prevention and rescue in the city, the Ha Noi Fire and Rescue Police Department and local authorities have organized training courses for local residents and students on knowledge and skills for first response to emergencies.

The local authorities have set up special teams of local people to help fight fires in the early stages.

To prevent serious fires, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Ha Noi Municipal Government have asked local authorities and government agencies to inspect firefighting and prevention standards in all tenement and apartment buildings, business and entertainment facilities, and public places.

On September 22, the Ha Noi People's Committee approved a resolution on measures to improve fire prevention and firefighting. The resolution outlines nine major categories of measures that include immediate and future actions to improve fire and explosion safety./.