Decision No. 1129/QD-TTg 2020 Scheme on development of night-time economy

DECISION

Approving the Scheme on development of night-time economy in Vietnam^[1]

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the June 19, 2015 Law on Organization of the Government;

Pursuant to the Government’s Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP of January 1, 2020, on major tasks and solutions to implement the 2020 socio-economic development plan and state budget estimates;

At the proposal of the Minister of Planning and Investment in Documents No. 2611/TTr-BKHDT of April 22, 2020, and No. 3945/TTr-BKHDT of June 18, 2020.

DECIDES:

Article 1. To approve the Scheme on development of night-time economy in Vietnam with the following principal contents:

1. Objectives

To tap night-time economy development potentials so as to make the fullest use of opportunities to develop a new economy, increase incomes and raise living standards of the people and, at the same time, restrict risks and negative impacts on the maintenance of political security as well as social order and safety.

2. Requirements

a/ To give priority to economic growth, job creation simultaneously with community cohesion and social exchange for the Vietnamese people and between the Vietnamese people and foreigners, especially tourists.

b/ To encourage the development of new sectors and trades/activities, especially innovative industry, tourism, retail, and food and drink industry, etc.

c/ To encourage the effective participation of enterprises in consultation on and enforcement of night-time economy development policies.

d/ To create a motive force for promoting the development of public services and optimize the use of public services, especially reducing the daytime overuse of infrastructure facilities.

dd/ To identify and effectively deal with risks and adverse consequences of night-time economic activities.

3. Viewpoints

a/ Proactive development of night-time economy is conformable to the international development trend, aiming to take the fullest advantage of time, create new opportunities for economic growth, diversify economic activities while better serving the material and spiritual lives of the people and foreigners, especially tourists.

b/ Night-time economy is not a separate part of the economy. In the immediate future, the development of night-time economy aims to boost domestic consumption and tourism development through focusing on the development of culture, recreation and entertainment, food and drink, shopping and tourist services from 18:00 hours to 06:00 hours.

c/ Development of night-time economy shall be based on respecting and harmonizing the market supply and demand, without imposing the wishful thinking of management agencies. To speed up the pilot implementation process toward a 24-hour economy for cities/urban centers with great potentials for night-time economy development; at the same time, to raise the awareness and capacity of localities, enterprises and the people about night-time economy, thereby promoting the participation of residential communities and enterprises.

d/ To vigorously renew the social management thinking and mode on the basis of learning international experience in order to prioritize the development of night-time economic activities in a favorable manner and based on market principles, while effectively tackling risks and negative consequences of night-time economic activities.

dd/ Provincial/municipal administrations shall proactively study, formulate and materialize programs/plans as well as solutions to boost night-time economy according to their competence; and propose initiatives on development of night-time economy to competent authorities (if they fall beyond the competence of localities). Night-time economy development programs/plans must ensure harmony and connectivity with daytime economic activities in each locality.

e/ It is not encouraged to develop night-time economic activities after 22:00 hours in a massive manner but to develop them in a focal manner. In the immediate future, to permit a number of big cities and tourist centers of the country with symbolic characteristics to proactively select, according to their peculiar space and time conditions, new services and/or services with high demands at nighttime in areas with numerous tourists. To make well-prepared investment in conformity with master plans and plans on careful, synchronous and long-term development with an appropriate roadmap and resources for implementation.

4. Solutions to proactively develop night-time economy

a/ Group of solutions to raise the awareness about interests and risks of night-time economy development

- To raise the awareness about the scope and role of night-time economy while gradually reducing then eliminating prejudice on negative impacts of night-time economy and prejudice on night-time recreation and entertainment forms, activities and spots.

- To raise the awareness of the state management apparatus toward more open thinking, and multidimensional acknowledgement and assessment of the role, opportunities and risks of night-time economy. In development of night-time economy, it is necessarily required to abolish the way of thinking of state management agencies that “what unable to be managed shall be banned”. To take into full account but not worry so much about risks of security and order instability that opportunities for night-time economy development will be missed. It should be realized that night-time economy, if being properly managed, will make important contributions to economic growth and exploitation of potentials of tourist, service and shopping services and advertising of the Vietnamese culture and gastronomy to the world.

- To raise the awareness about the role of local administrations in proactively studying and formulating policies on development of appropriate forms and activities of night-time economy in localities. The Government shall only play the role of making orientations and creating a proper and favorable legal environment and considering and removing difficulties for localities.

- To intensify multi-media communications through newspapers, radio and television, through social organizations, grassroots organizations, wards, communes, population groups and associations about the interests of, opportunities from and guidelines on night-time economy development, and policies in support of entities participating in night-time economic activities. To attach importance to communication about harms caused by narcotics and addictive substances to the health and future of each person, especially heightening the sense of night-time business establishments of observing business ethics.

b/ Group of solutions to further improve policies and legal frameworks so as to facilitate the development of night-time economy and control risks

- To proactively review policies and legal frameworks related to night-time economy development, focusing on the regulations on operation areas; products prioritized for development at nighttime; operation duration; operation licenses; and operation standards of enterprises and individual business households engaged in night-time economy.

- To clearly define responsibilities and competence among state management agencies in the management of night-time economic activities on the basis of increasing decentralization of powers to localities in the management and development of night-time economy.

- To study and assess interactions between policies on development of night-time economy and other new/modern economic models and activities (such as sharing economy, e-commerce, etc.) in order to work out comprehensive and synchronous solutions.

- To study and propose the pilot model of tourist police forces in localities with potentials for night-time economy development for handling matters related to security and safety of tourists.

- To study and formulate a mechanism for collecting information on movement of the people and tourists with a view to meeting the requirements of risk control, ensuring consistency with current regulations on protection of personal data and privacy.

c/ Group of solutions on management of night-time economic activities based on master plans

- To proactively incorporate contents on night-time economy development into provincial master plans, which must anticipate areas, localities and routes for development of night-time economy, central and satellite zones, and major types of night-time economic services for implementation in the future (when the required conditions are fully satisfied).

- The inclusion of areas for night-time economy development in master plans should be associated with the development of infrastructure facilities (electricity, water, traffic, etc.), ensuring satisfaction of environmental hygiene conditions and limiting impacts of noise pollution and household waste, etc.

- To work out plans on relocation of population from areas for night-time economy development, with specific plans on places of the people’s residence after the relocation so as not to affect the people’s daily-life activities at nighttime.

- To proactively incorporate contents on night-time economy development into national overall master plans, regional master plans and sectoral master plans. Night-time economy development contents should be closely associated with tourism development master plans and service, food and drink and shopping activities. To develop networks of service establishments in association with tourist zones and sites.

d/ Group of solutions to prolong on a pilot basis the duration of night-time service activities in a number of big cities and tourist zones nationwide

- To permit the pilot prolongation of the duration of night-time service activities till 06:00 hours in a number of attractive tourist zones and sites with favorable conditions for management of risks of night-time service activities in a number of big cities/centers with large numbers of tourists such as Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Thua Thien Hue, Can Tho, Da Lat, and Phu Quoc. On that basis, to evaluate the effectiveness of night-time economic activities and the management of these activities in selected areas for developing and completing a model of night-time economic activities for wide application in other localities.

- To study and propose prioritized investment in building a number of separate night-time entertainment complexes in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang in the 2021-2025 period.

dd/ Other solutions

- To formulate and implement incentive and preferential policies for enterprises and business households engaged in night-time economic activities through building capacity of, and creating conditions for, business establishments to access official financial sources, especially bank loans.

- To study providing support for public means of transport on a number of important traffic routes in order to increase routes and service time at nighttime for intensified connection of urban centers at nighttime, especially at weekends.

- To establish hotlines for tourists to promptly report on matters related to security and order, food hygiene and safety, environment, etc.

- To step up tourism promotion and advertising of night-time economic activities. To build night-time tourism products based on elements of indigenous culture with typical characteristics according to local conditions (selecting symbolic service forms and locations to attract tourists).

- To build capacity of provinces and cities to make periodical information and statistics and summarize figures and data on night-time economic activities, ensuring data sharing between management agencies and research institutions for use as a basis for increasing the effectiveness of management, formulation and adjustment of appropriate policies for night-time economy development.

- To proactively prepare human, material and financial resources for night-time economy development, particularly increasing human resources for management, inspection and supervision of social security and order, health and environment activities, etc., in areas for night-time economy development.

- To further study good international practices and effective models of management of night-time economic activities, especially the maintenance of traffic order and safety, urban order, operation licensing and allocation of resources for operation licensing, food hygiene and safety, prevention and control of harms of liquor and beer abuse in night-time economy activities, fire prevention and fighting safety, and information from the grassroots on risks to night-time economic activities, etc.

Article 2. Organization of implementation

1. Ministries, sectors and localities shall:

a/ Thoroughly study, observe and demonstrate fully, clearly and consistently the viewpoints, objectives and solutions on night-time economy development in legal documents and policies they are assigned to draft, and specific schemes and programs of ministries, sectors, agencies and localities.

b/ Scrutinize, supplement and complete policies in order to intensify management of and support for night-time economy development with regard to activities related to their sectors, domains and localities.

c/ Intensify interdisciplinary coordination in the management, inspection and supervision of night-time economy development with regard to such matters as culture-arts, food hygiene and safety, infrastructure facilities (traffic, electricity, water, waste treatment), security and safety, tourism, and retail, etc.

d/ Build the contingent of cadres and civil servants who are fully capable and experienced in socio-economic development and culture to meet the requirements of state management of night-time activities.

dd/ Carry out public information work for raising the awareness and changing the thinking of related cadres, civil servants and public employees about the importance and risks of night-time economy to the domestic economy.

e/ Regularly monitor and study policies and measures to develop night-time economic forms and activities in other countries in order to draw appropriate experience and lessons for the administration and management work of ministries, sectors and localities.

g/ Regularly organize exchanges and dialogues with the business circle and the people in order to understand their demands and problems related to night-time economy, thereby working out measures to solve these problems or propose competent authorities to consider and solve them.

2. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall:

a/ Study and develop night-time economy development models suitable to advantages and practical conditions of localities, especially to their capability to build infrastructure facilities, investment resources and capability to mobilize and attract investment in every specific location. Night-time economy development programs/plans should take into full account factors and impacts (both positive and negative) of night-time economy on localities, based on the demands and the maximum exploitation of advantages as well as requirements and capability of localities to arrange resources for management and support.

b/ In the course of formulating provincial master plans for the new period, proactively study the planning of areas and locations potential for night-time economy development with a specific time frame of operation in each area with a view to ensuring social safety for implementation in the future (when the required conditions are fully satisfied).

c/ Review, study, formulate and properly adjust policy mechanisms and legal frameworks in order to attract investment resources for night-time economic products, attaching importance to enhancing the capacity to manage and exploit natural resources, knowledge, finance, technology application, and public-private cooperation. Especially, attract and establish sustainable partnerships with prestigious and experienced enterprises in participation in the development of night-time economic activities in localities.

d/ Coordinate with related ministries and agencies in evaluating forms of night-time tourist services and products, developing more products deeply imbued with cultural identities and closely associated with local advantages as typical ones to attract domestic and international tourists.

dd/ Assess some models and modes of night-time economy management and development in a number of cities and countries with similar sizes and cultural identities for study and pilot application in localities. Consider compiling a “Manual on night-time economy development” for local managers, enterprises, associations and related stakeholders engaged in night-time activities.

e/ Periodically organize training and further training courses for cadres, civil servants and public employees in the service, trade, culture-tourism, environment, security, and market surveillance sectors.

g/ Appropriately distribute resources for management, inspection and supervision of security and social order, health and environment activities, etc., in areas for night-time economy development.

h/ Build capacity for conducting regular information and statistics and synthesizing figures and data on night-time economic activities, based on the guidance of the Ministry of Planning and Investment as well as local characteristics.

3. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall:

a/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies in, supplementing statistical norms on night-time economic activities and promulgating the guidance on norm-calculating methods.

b/ Regularly hold exchanges and dialogues with ministries, sectors and localities for gathering and proposing solutions to matters arising in night-time economy development.

c/ Assume the prime responsibility for monitoring the incorporation of contents on night-time economy development into strategies, national overall master plans, regional master plans, provincial master plans and sectoral master plans.

d/ Assume the prime responsibility for studying, assessing and surveying demands, opportunities and difficulties related to night-time economy development; interaction between night-time economy development and new and modern economic models and activities (such as sharing economy, e-commerce, etc.).

4. The Ministry of Finance shall:

a/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities in, studying policies and measures on tax incentives for night-time economic activities.

b/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities in, studying policies and measures to create funding sources to cover additionally arising expenses related to night-time economy management.

c/ Coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment in summing up and considering funding proposals related to night-time economy and report them to competent authorities for consideration and decision.

5. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall:

a/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities in, formulating appropriate trade and service policies in order to boost the development of night-time economy in a number of key provinces/cities not in contravention of international commitments of Vietnam.

b/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies in, formulating and submitting to competent authorities revisions to existing documents or promulgating new documents (according to its competence) providing night-time activities and management of night-time activities of assorted markets, supermarkets, trade centers, convenience stores, and general and specialized stores.

c/ Further improve the legal framework on market surveillance and regulations on product standards, specifications and origin in order to raise the effectiveness and efficiency of market surveillance, and inspection, examination and supervision of activities of enterprises.

d/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and localities in, ensuring the stable electricity supply in key areas for night-time economy development.

6. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and localities in, studying and proposing a number of night-time tourist product development models in some tourist centers as suitable to local characteristics and conditions as well as demands and tastes of tourists from target markets.

7. The Ministry of Public Security shall:

a/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with functional agencies in, maintaining security and order serving the development of night-time economy, restricting adverse impacts and harms on security and social order and safety in the course of night-time economy development.

b/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies in, studying and proposing pilot models of tourist police forces in localities with potentials for night-time economy development so as to deal with matters related to security and safety of tourists.

8. The Ministry of Education and Training shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies in, formulating programs, plans and projects on training of human resources for night-time economy development.

9. The Ministry of Construction shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and localities in, formulating plans for improvement of urban systems, attaching importance to public lighting systems and public toilet systems, etc., in key areas for night-time economy development.

10. The Ministry of Transport shall:

a/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and localities in, formulating plans for improvement of conveniently connected traffic systems, especially studying the expansion of routes and prolongation of operation duration of means of public transport in key areas as suitable to night-time economic activities.

b/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and localities in, applying solutions to intensify the application of sharing economy in transport activities, paying special attention to night-time frame.

11. The Ministry of Health shall increase human resources for management work and coordinate with related agencies and localities in ensuring food hygiene and safety, especially in key areas for night-time economy development.

12. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and localities in, performing tasks to ensure environmental hygiene; minimizing impacts of wastes and noise from night-time economic activities on the local people, especially in key areas for night-time economy development.

13. The Ministry of Information and Communications shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies in, studying, formulating and submitting to competent authorities revisions to existing documents or promulgating new documents (according to its competence) providing the operation and management, provision and use of Internet services and online information so as to meet demands for night-time economic activities.

14. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and localities in, studying, scrutinizing, amending or supplementing policies on labor, employment, and labor inspection and examination with a view to ensuring the working environment and conditions for laborers working at nighttime.

15. Other ministries and sectors shall base on their respective state management functions to scrutinize and determine matters related to night-time economy, formulate schemes and regulations on coordinated management of night-time economic activities and propose appropriate amendments and supplementation to relevant policies.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect on the date of its signing.

Article 4. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies, chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees, and related units and organizations shall implement this Decision.-

Prime Minister
NGUYEN XUAN PHUC