The government will resume granting licenses for discotheques and karaoke parlors from January 1, 2010.

Under the new decision, businesses can apply for new licenses or renew current ones from next year onwards.

The new rules require a discotheque’s dancing room to have a minimum area of 80 square meters, while karaoke parlors must have an area of 20 square meters at least with no door locks and transparent windows and doors.

Either establishment cannot be located within 200 meters of any school, hospital, religious establishment, historic site or monument, or state offices.

They are not allowed to open after 12 p.m. until 8 a.m., but those located at tourist resorts and hotels ranked above four stars can operate until 2 a.m..

The new decision also tightens control over local game shops, prohibiting them from opening between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Source: Thanh Nien, Tuoi Tre