VietNamNet Bridge – The Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City is drafting a discos and karaoke parlor planning, under which new discotheques and karaoke bars may be licensed based on the demands and proposals of each district.

After years of halting the licenses of new discotheques and karaoke bars, HCM City Vice Chairman – Mr. Hua Ngoc Thuan has assigned the HCMC Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism to draft the planning for this kind of entertainment services in the city from now to 2020.

Under this plan, the city government will license discotheques and karaoke bars in districts at the demands and proposals of the local authorities. However, management over these businesses will be tightened to control social evils. The license of new discotheques and karaoke bars must have the consent of relevant bodies, not only the local authorities.

HCM City currently has about 750 karaoke bars, studios, 25 bars and discotheques. Since 2005, under the government’s instruction on tightening the operation of sensitive services, the city has not licensed any new discotheques and karaoke bars.

In relation to the operation of sensitive services, earlier this year HCM City proposed the central government to zone an area for “sensitive businesses” to prevent and reduce prostitution, which tends to become more complex and widespread in the city.

If the government approves the idea, the city will select an area which is relatively isolated from the central area to host all bars, discos, restaurants, motels and spa centers.

In addition, all female workers in this area must have a labor contract and have periodic health checks to ensure no spread of the diseases to others.

Le Ha