From 0:00 on February 1, all karaoke parlors, bars and discotheques in Hanoi had to suspend operations in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, according to the local government's decision.

The HCM City People’s Committee has allowed bars and dance clubs that were closed late last month due to the second COVID-19 outbreak to resume operations from Monday (September 7).

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Tuesday said that there would be no limit on the number of flights that bring Vietnamese people home or foreigners to the country as long as they meet regulated criteria.

Many owners of bars and karaoke parlors have struggled with financial problems during the period of the closure, some even went bankrupt.

VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung has allowed restaurants and bars in the Old Quarter to stay open until 2am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, starting from September 1.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Big cities in Vietnam do not lack bars, cinemas, theatres, night markets and art shows but most of these places close before 12am, too early for many foreign visitors.

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The District 1 People's Committee has set up a joint inspection team to check the operation of bars in Pham Ngu Lao Ward, which is called the “Street of Foreigners,” and fine those that break the rules and make noise at 4-5am.