VietNamNet Bridge – The District 1 People's Committee has set up a joint inspection team to check the operation of bars in Pham Ngu Lao Ward, which is called the “Street of Foreigners,” and fine those that break the rules and make noise at 4-5am.

Sleepless night on the “Street of Foreigners” in Saigon

A bar on the "Street of Foreigners".

Hundreds of people who live along the roads of De Tham, Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao in in Pham Ngu Lao Ward complained to the local authorities of the operation of dozens of bars at night. These bars opened until 4 - 5am and played music very loudly.

The District 1 authorities have inspected 47 bars. They also measured the sound at some bars after 11pm and recorded that the sound was beyond the standard from 1.27 to 1.41 times (from 70-78 db).

Pham Ngu Lao Ward authorities recently met with managers of over 40 bars to ask them to ensure business activities in accordance with the legal provisions.

Inspectors detected violations at many bars, such as occupying the sidewalks, not paying social insurance for and not signing employment contracts with staff.

According to the local authorities, Pham Ngu Lao Ward is the home to foreign tourists, with entertainment activities and services for foreigners mainly being held after 9pm.

The District 1 authorities have asked HCM City to early implement the project to turn Bui Vien road into a street for pedestrians and tourists and re-organize business activities in the “Street of Foreigners” to better server tourists and reduce impacts on the daily life of local residents, especially after 10pm.

District 1 also suggested the city to allocated land in the 23/9 Park for the use of restaurants serving tourists after 10pm in order to reduce noise in the residential area.

Mai Lan