Plan to lift midnight curfew in Hanoi brings joy, worries

A plan to lift a midnight curfew in Hanoi to lure more tourists to the capital city has generated applause and concerns among local residents.

Earlier this week, Hanoi People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung said at a national tourism conference in central Vietnam that many foreigners consider Hanoi's night life "special", and the city would lift its midnight curfew to let tourists have more fun.

Currently, all restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and karaoke parlors in Hanoi must close at midnight, though bars and clubs at top-tier hotels and resorts are allowed to stay open until 2 am.