No. Feeding wild pigeons in Vietnam is prohibited under the 2022 Law on Biodiversity and Decree 84/2021/ND-CP, which classify urban wildlife feeding as a public nuisance. Local authorities, including municipal environmental departments, enforce fines up to ₫5 million (≈$210) for violations, with stricter penalties in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City due to 2026 urban wildlife management directives.
Key Regulations for Feeding Wild Pigeons in Vietnam
- Urban Wildlife Protection Decree (2021): Explicitly bans feeding wild birds in public spaces under Article 7, citing disease transmission risks and ecological disruption.
- Hanoi People’s Committee Circular 03/2023: Restricts feeding in Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and West Lake, requiring permits for controlled feeding in designated areas.
- Ho Chi Minh City Ordinance 15/2020: Mandates fines for unauthorized feeding in parks, streets, and historical sites, with enforcement by district-level environmental police units.
Local governments may impose additional restrictions under the 2024 National Urban Wildlife Management Plan, aligning with ASEAN biodiversity commitments. Violations in protected zones (e.g., national parks) trigger escalated penalties under the 2022 Environmental Protection Law, including confiscation of feeding equipment. Compliance officers prioritize enforcement in tourist-heavy districts where pigeon overpopulation has escalated since 2023.