VietNamNet Bridge - Most discotheques and bars in HCM City do not have a business license. These are the destination of gangsters, drug addicts and high-end prostitutes.

Before June 2013, New Saigon club, No. 11 Me Linh Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, was called Disco 1102 and it was run by a man named L, from Hanoi. This business was not licensed as a night club or discotheque but it lured several hundreds of people each night, who came to dance until 2-3am.

In almost two years of operation, Discotheque 1102 were inspected ten times but it was fined three times, from VND3 million to VND80 million ($150-$4,000).

In June, this discotheque was upgraded and returned in the new name – New Saigon Discotheque. This time, New Saigon registered under the name of Saigon Moi Company, licensed on June 20 in the restaurant, food, travel, advertising business, with Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dat, 37, a native of Hanoi as the director.

Though its name was changed, New Saigon is still an “Illegal” discotheque. In the morning of August 18, Saigon police raided this club and detected eight violations. However, the club still opened the next days.

The 02 Gold Club, No. 2 Ho Huan Nghiep Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, a few dozen meters from New Saigon, is also a popular venue for playboys. A series of raids and inspection were conducted at this place but it is still operating.

A similar case is Feeling Bar on Au Co Street, Ward 10, Tan Binh District. This is considered one of the biggest clubs in Saigon’s suburbs and it was several times detected with violations, but it is operating normally.

The question is why?

A member of the HCM City’s cultural-social inspection team said that clubs that break the rules several times will have their license revoked. However, such clubs are opened again in the new name or under the name of new owners.

Notably, a popular violation at night clubs and discotheques is selling alcohol without licenses but since the fine is too low – VND400,000 ($200), clubs keep selling alcohol after paying fines.

Night clubs and discotheques are also the venues for gangsters, drug users and traders. In a recent raid to New Saigon, the inspectors seized some drugs and arrested eight gangsters. At the inspection of the 02 Gold Club in mid-April, the police discovered a drug trading ring, with the participation of gangsters and the club’s staff.

If a night club is found with drugs, the club owner will explain that they cannot prevent customers from using drugs. In addition, to attract visitors, most clubs open their doors free for high-class prostitutes.

Dam De