A 27-year-old man in Da Lat, Vietnam, has received a fine of 35 million VND for illegally cutting down a three-leaf pine tree in his garden. The fine was imposed by the local authorities after the man shared videos of the tree-cutting process on TikTok.

On September 13, representatives from the Xuân Hương ward in Da Lat confirmed the penalty, stating that the man had cut down the approximately 5-meter tall tree with a trunk diameter of 35 cm without obtaining the necessary permits, as stipulated by Government Decree 339/2026/NĐ-CP.

In the videos, the man demonstrated how to kill the tree and then used a saw to fell it, claiming he intended to use the wood to make furniture. The tree was reportedly several decades old. After the videos were discovered, local authorities summoned the individual for questioning on September 7, and two days later, they issued a violation report.

Nguyễn Ngọc Hậu, the Deputy Chairman of Xuân Hương ward, explained that while the tree was located within the man's property, it still fell under state management regulations concerning green trees. He emphasized that residents must notify local authorities before cutting down any trees, allowing for an assessment of the tree's condition and management status.

According to a local official knowledgeable in management practices, many naturally occurring pine trees in Da Lat, even if on private land, are considered state property. These trees were present before land use rights were granted to individuals. Therefore, although residents have land use rights, they do not automatically gain the authority to cut down trees that are managed by the state.

Strict management of existing pine trees is crucial for preserving the unique landscape and green spaces of Da Lat. Hậu noted that this case is a recent example of enforcement, and other residents seeking to cut down trees should follow the proper procedures.