HCM City proposed to gather all businesses suspected of providing sexual services, including bars, nightclubs and karaoke rooms, into one location where they can be more easily managed.

Cafe bar found to be providing sex services

The local Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs announced that in 2012, prostitution in HCM City has become a bigger problem.

According to the local authorities, many new high-end prostitution rings have appeared that include well-known Vietnamese actresses and models.

Not only have advertisements for sex services proliferated throughout the internet and even by text messaging, foreign sex workers have begun to show up in Vietnam.

Authorities in HCM City said that prostitution has been on the increase ever since enforcement over such facilities has become more lax.

Still, in 2012 police forces in HCM City carried out over 12,000 inspections, 3,000 prostitution sweeps, prosecuting 133 cases and arresting 600 people.

Municipal authorities admit that the problem is far from solved. They say that there are about 30,000 businesses in the city that may provide prostitution services, from barber shops and cafes to nightclubs.

The HCM City's People's Committee proposed creating a 'sensitive services area' in order to keep better tabs on these businesses. At the same time authorities will also step up health services to contain any infectious diseases that can be spread through the sex industry.

Higher fines have also been proposed for those who sell or distribute material that is considered pornographic. Cultural activities would also be more regulated in order to make sure that they have no dealings in the promotion of prostitution.