Hanoi municipal authorities are seeking to temporarily close a bar in for a number of violations after complaints from local residents.

Ibiza Bar

Le Dai Hanh Ward authorities conducted an inspection of Ibiza Bar after receiving a series of late night noise complaints. Pham Mai Trang, vice chairwoman of Le Dai Hanh Ward, said the building was registered to Quang Minh Company, but the company was only registered to operate restaurants, not nightclubs. 

Ibiza Bar had already been fined twice for a total of VND27 million (USD1,300) for violations of regulations on closing times, not having a license to sell alcohol and tobacco and fire safety violations. After the most recent round of complaints, Ibiza Bar underwent a name change to Lucky Bar, an apparent attempt by the owners to get around the laws. But provincial authorities, along with relevant agencies, proposed a halting of operations. 

Over the last year, police have cracked down on a number of late-night bars for various reasons, including improper business licenses and "side entertainment" such as prostitution or drugs. In February, more than 100 officers descended on two bars in HCM City in a surprise raid in which uncovered an array of violations, including drug use. 

Fire prevention also became a hot button issue in the wake of bar fires in the capital. On September 13, a fore at Luxury Bar left 13 people with burns. Also, the chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee ordered the closure of the popular Zone 9 entertainment area, after six people died in a bar fire.

Police admit that they are having difficulties in enforcing closing hours. According to current regulation, all business must halt operations between 12am and 5am. However, most late-night businesses in Hanoi only start picking up around 10pm and some stay open as late as 3am.

Vu Quoc Toan, head of police force in Dong Xuan Ward, said Hanoi did not have specific sanctions against such violations so police can only cite them for noise in residential and public areas. These penalties are small, ranging from VND100,000 to VND300,000.