A beer club in Hanoi (Source: internet) Beer clubs appeared in HCM City three years ago, providing foods and drinks alongside music, professional DJs, and performances by promotional girls.
Soon enough, the model expanded to other big cities like Hanoi and VungTau. In Hanoi alone, there is already a wide array of beer clubs, servingthousands of customers per day.
Nguyen Hoai Lan, in Hanoi’s Hoaan Kiem district said that she and hergroup of friends frequent some beer clubs near Hoan Kiem Lake.
“It has everything – foods, drinks, music, performances… and it’s much cheaperthan bars or discos,” she said. On average, a beer costs between 25,000-50,000 VND.
An owner of a beer club, who wished to remain anonymous, said that investing ina bar or club was not a simple feat.
The owners must meet strict regulations before being able to open a venue. Thebars must be located in licensed areas, and be granted operation licences tostart their business.
In case they sold wine and strong alcohol, they must be licensed to trade inthis kind of goods and pay appropriate taxes. All bars must close at midnight.
Even after following strict regulations, most bars and clubs only get customersfrom 10pm until midnight. The two hours of operation was not enough to turn aprofit, he said, adding that many bars have switched to being beer clubs,seeking profit and looser regulations.
Nguyen Thi Bach Ngan, vice chairwoman of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province’sVung Tau city said that the city was encouraging such services toattract visitors.
Currently, there are about 18 beer clubs, bars and discos in the province, 12of which are located in Vung Tau city.
However, Ngan said the city found it hard to manage this type of business asthere is a shortage of legal documents and specific regulations for it.
Beer clubs were not listed as special businesses such as bars or nightclubs,but could not be listed as food service businesses either. Basically, theyprovide loud music, lighting, professional DJs and promotional girls, which isexactly the same as bars and discos have done, she added.
Dang Minh Thong, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee affirmedthat this model of entertainment service should be encouraged in cities toattract tourists.
However, the operation of such services must be licensed and managed byauthorized agencies to avoid negative impacts on local residents living nearbyand ensure security and order.
They must not be located in residential areas or near schools, he added.-VNA
They must not be located in residential areas or near schools, he added.-VNA
VNA
