Danang mulls late night booze ban

DANANG Danang police have recommended that the last call for beer and liquor orders  in restaurants and bars should should be moved forward to 2200, rather than midnight.

Thanh Nien News quoted Danang traffic police chief, Colonel Le Ngoc, saying the police department would submit the proposal to the People’s Committee soon.

If accepted, restaurants will be prohibited from selling alcohol after 2200.

Credit Thanh Nieh News

The recommendation by Danang’s police chief contrasts with a proposal made by Hanoi authorities, last week, to extend entertainment opening hours beyond midnight to improve the capital’s nightlife appeal for visitors.

Danang police said they would discuss levels of punishment that would be imposed on restaurant owners who violated the regulation once it was approved.

The proposal is likely to meet some opposition from the travel trade as Danang becomes more popular with tourists from Asia.

They will quote Hanoi’s latest move to extend opening hours, claiming that a destination that aspires to become a tourism gateway has to offer night entertainment.

Danang hosts 5 to 6 million tourists annually, mostly Vietnamese. It is Vietnam’s third largest city located on the eastern coast, midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Last year, Danang welcomed 4.7 million tourists, both domestic and international, a 22.4% year-on-year increase. The city’s tourism revenue reached USD566.96 million.