Location: Ha Dinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi.
A fire the evening of August 28, 2019, destroyed the Rang Dong Light Bulb warehouse, located approximately four kilometers southwest of the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi.
The Ha Dinh Ward People’s Committee issued a warning that food sold in a one-kilometer radius of the site of the fire might be contaminated with mercury. Additionally, the warning said that vegetables, fruits, and meat sold there must not be consumed for the next 21 days. The Ha Dinh Ward People’s Committee retracted this warning after Hanoi’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Institute of Occupational Health and Environment found nothing unusual in their air and soil tests.
Actions to Take:
- Monitor the local news for updates.
- Avoid shopping for food products (vegetables, fruits and meat) in a one-kilometer radius of where the fire occurred.
- Seek medical care if you are experiencing respiratory symptoms, neurological issues, dizziness, or headaches.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Vietnam enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.Travel.State.Gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Vietnam. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.
Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.
For U.S. citizens in need of urgent assistance, please contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located at 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi; telephone 24/7: (024) 3850-5000; email: acshanoi@state.gov or the U.S. Consulate General, located at 4 Le Duan, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City; telephone 24/7: (028) 3520-4200.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Hanoi 024-3850-5000 | U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City 028-3520-4200
- State Department, Consular Affairs, 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Please also check the State Department’s Worldwide Caution webpage for Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Vietnam Country Specific Information.
