Ho Chi Minh City wants to pilot opening casinos for people aged 18 and over.

On the afternoon of May 17th, the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly delegation conducted a supervisory visit to the City People's Committee regarding Resolution 54 and the socio-economic situation in the first four months of 2022.

During the monitoring session, the City People's Committee proposed that the National Assembly delegation request the National Assembly to direct the Government to instruct the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to coordinate with other ministries and agencies to consider policies to promote the development of the city's night-time economy.

Accordingly, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee proposed a pilot program to organize casinos in hotels of 5 stars and above and other luxury tourist destinations. Vietnamese citizens aged 18 and above, with full civil capacity and financial means, will be allowed to participate. According to the Ho Chi Minh City government, this is a policy to incentivize tourism investment, especially for entertainment areas of international and regional caliber.

Regarding this proposal, National Assembly representative Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh (Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Justice) suggested considering the social impact, avoiding conflicting opinions and opposition, especially regarding allowing Vietnamese citizens over 18 years old to enter casinos.

As part of its plan to develop the night-time economy, the Ho Chi Minh City government has proposed that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issue preferential policies on taxes, fees, and charges. Karaoke bars, nightclubs, and dance clubs located in tourist accommodations of 4 stars or higher, or high-end establishments, would be allowed to operate without time restrictions. Currently, karaoke bars and nightclubs are open from 8 AM to midnight; dance clubs are closed from 2 AM to 8 AM.

In addition, Ho Chi Minh City also proposed that the National Assembly consider expanding the list of countries exempt from visa requirements or implementing an e-visa (electronic 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 direct the Government to instruct the Ministry of Finance to coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to develop policies to support tourism businesses participating in tourism promotion programs, and policies on fees and charges; and to direct the Ministry of Health to abolish the RT-PCR testing requirement for international tourists arriving in Vietnam who have received all necessary vaccinations, in order to help Vietnam's tourism industry gradually regain its competitiveness with other countries in the region, while still ensuring efforts to respond to the pandemic.

Huy