Your Say, published every Friday, invites readers to express their opinions on a topic or issue raised by the Editor.

Next week: How should ‘litter louts’ be punished?

The Government has issued a Decree to impose heavy fines on those who litter in public places, especially in big cities like Hà Nội and HCM City. From February next year, those found littering on streets and pavements will be fined VNĐ7 million (US$313). This is a significantly large sum in the context of nation’s annual per capita income of $2,200.

Such heavy fines have proved effective in countries like Singapore. However, many doubt it can be enforced in Việt Nam.

What do you think about this level of punishment? Please share experiences from your own country in enforcing such environment protection regulations? Apart from monetary fines, what are other measures that can be taken against those who litter?

Please email your responses to: opinion@vnsmail.com, or fax them to (84-4) 39332311. Address letters to The Editor, Việt Nam News, 79 Lý Thường Kiệt Street, Hà Nội. Responses must be received by Thursday morning, December 8, 2016. — VNS