Cinemas want government to scrap midnight closure requirement

Screenings are now allowed only between 8 a.m. and midnight, with violations attracting fines of up to VND10 million ($427).

According to the cinema chains, this is inconsistent with the policy of developing nighttime cultural and entertainment services.

Regulations on cinemas are currently being revised, and possible changes will be approved by November.

They also pointed out that in many countries the nighttime economy has become the primary source of revenues for the tourism and cultural industries, including movie screenings.

Vi Kien Thanh, director of the cinema department, told news outlet Vietnam Plus that he had received the communication and that many agencies would have a say in this issue.

With the Covid pandemic easing, cinemas across the country are seeing a revival in revenues, especially thanks to some blockbusters.

However, despite screening several blockbusters, CGV’s second quarter profits fell 34% from 2019 (before the Covid-19 pandemic) to 4.2 billion Korean won (US$3.16 million).