Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered the government to find ways to develop more night-time activities and increase tourist spend. Amongst the activities there are clear suggestions about the operation of more night clubs, gaming zones and karaoke clubs, as a way to generate more revenue during the night. Although Nguyen has pointed to the Beijing model, in which shops and restaurants that are open from 8pm to 6am could receive a subsidy of US$70,000 and areas which operate at least 12 hours straight a night get US$700,000, it is the lack of recreational tourism, such as theme parks, shopping centres and late-night shows, usually in casinos, “as reasons why the rate of returning foreign tourists are low in comparison to Thailand and Singapore,” according to industry expert, Nguyen Cong Hoan, deputy director of travel agency Hanoi Red Tours. “Major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have night markets, but there is demand for more activities. The country needs more restaurants, malls and entertainment areas remaining open after midnight to attract tourists,” added Nguyen. Although, as usual, there are also local concerns, linking a night-time economy with drugs and prostitution. (2019/08/01)