Roads are public spaces, and everyone has the right to travel, stop, and park according to regulations. Therefore, when conflicts arise over parking, especially involving cars, each party often believes they are in the right. This situation prompts important questions: in a scenario where one's vehicle is blocked and cannot move, despite requests, and the vehicle owner is uncooperative or even defiant, what steps should the affected person take to protect their legal rights? Furthermore, under what circumstances can the act of intentionally "boxing in" another person's car lead to administrative penalties or criminal charges?
Such disputes are not uncommon. For example, around 10:20 a.m. on 18/2, the second day of Tet, Tuan, 29, was driving his 5-seater car with relatives for Tet visits. Upon turning into Alley 71 on Quang Linh Street, Tran Phu Ward (formerly part of Ha Tinh City, Ha Tinh Province), he found his path blocked by a white car parked across more than half of the over 4-meter-wide road.
Tuan got out to find contact information for the car owner but found none, so he honked. A few minutes later, a man appeared, identifying himself as the owner. Tuan asked him to move his car closer to the curb to allow other vehicles to pass through the narrow alley. However, the man stated that parking was permitted in the area, asserting that parking there all day was normal, and challenged, "whoever can tow it, go ahead". According to Tuan, the man who claimed to be the owner then drove another car to park behind Tuan's, effectively boxing in his 5-seater vehicle, preventing him from moving forward or backward.
Tuan was forced to report the incident to authorities. When Tran Phu Ward police arrived, the man engaged with them but remained uncooperative, stating, "I have many cars; a 100 million VND fine is nothing". The man eventually drove away around 1:30 p.m. Tran Phu Ward police stated they would handle the matter strictly in accordance with regulations.
Earlier, on the morning of 11/2, Tran Manh Hung, who lives on Phan Chu Trinh Street, Thanh Vinh Ward, Vinh City (Nghe An Province), discovered a truck parked directly in front of his shop as he was opening for Tet business. He called the owner using the phone number on the truck, asking them to move it to clear the way for business, but received no response. Hung then posted on social media seeking advice on how to resolve the situation. Many people suggested that since the road had no "no parking" signs, the truck was not violating any rules. Following some suggestions, Hung used two cars to block the front and rear of the truck, and also parked another truck in front of the truck owner's house.
On the afternoon of 12/2, Thanh Vinh Ward police intervened to resolve the issue. According to the Ward People's Committee leader, while there were no "no parking" signs in the area, the behavior of both parties could easily lead to conflict. Therefore, authorities mediated, explaining the rights and wrongs to reach a consensus on a solution. That same afternoon, Hung moved the two cars blocking the truck, allowing its owner to drive it away.
To provide clarity on these complex situations, lawyer Nguyen Trong Nghia offers advice.
