Multiple karaoke bars in Hanoi have been discovered secretly operating despite being suspended for failing to meet fire safety standards.

A probe by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper revealed that most of these karaoke venues are located in Nam Tu Liem, Dong Da, and Hai Ba Trung Districts.

Although these facilities appear to be closed, with entrance covered up and lights on their signboards turned off, their employees still stand on the sidewalk to welcome all customers.

Along De La Thanh Street in Dong Da District, Xmen Club and Liberty were among the bustling karaoke parlors at weekend.

Employees of the venues are always ready at the entrance to direct their guests to the parking basements and guide them inside via the backdoors.

The same situation can also be observed at X9 and Vip Club Karaoke Bars on Hao Nam Street.  

These facilities even allow their customers to use their services for as long as they want.

“You can sing all night. However, the price will go up from VND190,000 [US$8.15] to VND350,000 [$15] per hour after midnight,” an employee said.

Countless other karaoke bars have also been operating with the same method in other neighborhoods, all of which were previously shut down by competent authorities for violations regarding fire safety regulations.

An employee guides customers into a suspended karaoke bar in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

According to Major Vu Hong Thang, an official at the police unit in Dong Da District, there are about 60 karaoke bars across the district, of which 20 are still suspended from operation for such reason.

In Hai Ba Trung District, ten out of 45 karaoke venues are banned until they meet all fire safety requirements, said Vu Thi Thuy, a local police officer.

“If these facilities refuse to comply with the rules, we will ask relevant agencies to revoke their business licenses,” Thuy added.

A substandard karaoke bar will become a highly dangerous and potentially deadly place if a fire breaks out.

In November 2016, 13 people were killed by an inferno at a karaoke venue on Tran Thai Tong Street in the Vietnamese capital.

In August, the Superior People’s Court in Hanoi sentenced Nguyen Dieu Linh, the owner, to nine years in prison for violating fire safety regulations.

In late July, another facility in Bac Tu Liem District caught fire, causing heavy damage to the place as well as some nearby houses.

In May and October 2017, two fires occurred at two karaoke bars in Bac Tu Liem and Hai Ba Trung Districts.

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