On the afternoon of May 17, the delegation of National Assembly Deputies (NADs) of Ho Chi Minh City had a supervision session on Resolution 54 and the socio-economic situation in the first 4 months of 2022 for the City People's Committee.
At the supervision session, the City People's Committee made a recommendation to the National Assembly delegation to request the National Assembly to consult with the Government to direct the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to coordinate with ministries and branches to consider policies to promote the development of the city's night-time economy.
Accordingly, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee proposed to pilot the organization of casinos in hotels of 5 stars or higher and luxury tourist destinations. Vietnamese people aged 18 and above, with full civil and financial capacity, are allowed to participate. According to the Ho Chi Minh City government, this is a preferential policy for tourism investment, especially for international and regional entertainment areas.
Regarding this proposal, National Assembly delegate Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh (Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Justice) suggested considering social impacts, avoiding opposing opinions, especially allowing Vietnamese people over 18 years old to enter casinos.
Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee proposes piloting casinos in 5-star hotels and above and luxury tourist destinations.
As part of the plan to develop the night-time economy, the Ho Chi Minh City government proposed that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issue preferential policies on taxes, fees, charges, etc. Karaoke bars, bars, and dance clubs in tourist accommodation establishments of 4 stars or higher or high-class are allowed to operate without time limits. According to current regulations, karaoke bars and bars are open from 8am to midnight; dance clubs are not open from 2am to 8am.
Ho Chi Minh City also proposed that karaoke bars, bars, and dance clubs be allowed to operate without time limits to develop the night-time economy.
In addition, Ho Chi Minh City also proposed that the National Assembly consider expanding the number of visa-free countries or implementing an e-visa policy, and extending the temporary stay period for international visitors from 15 to 30 days.
In addition, Ho Chi Minh City also proposed that the National Assembly assign the Government to direct the Ministry of Finance to coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to have policies to support tourism businesses participating in tourism promotion programs, fee and charge policies; direct the Ministry of Health to remove the RT-PCR test regulation for international visitors to Vietnam who have been fully vaccinated to help Vietnam's tourism industry gradually regain its competitiveness with other countries in the region, while still ensuring efforts to respond to the epidemic.
