HCMC – Cinema chains in Vietnam such as CGV, Galaxy, BHD Star and Lotte are seeking the prime minister’s approval to screen films after midnight to attract more movie-goers and improve their sales.
The four cinema chains, in a petition recently sent to the Government, said that the local film industry should be added to the country’s nighttime economic development plan, reported the local media.
The petition was made at a time when the Government’s Decree 38/2021 is being amended and is due to come out in November this year.
The cinema operators said regulations in the decree about imposing administrative fines on cultural and marketing violations are no longer suitable for the development of the movie industry and limit opportunities for cinema-goers to enjoy movies.
Currently, cinema chains in the country are allowed to screen movies from 8 a.m. to midnight. Violators have to pay administrative fines of VND5-10 million.
Nguyen Hoang Hai, chief content officer at CJ CGV, said, “If midnight showings are approved, we believe we could make a positive change by helping promote the nighttime economy and create job opportunities for more people.”
Vi Kien Thanh, head of the Vietnam Cinema Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said the department is reviewing the petition before reporting it to the ministry.
After two years of suspension due to the Covid pandemic, the number of cinema-goers is rising again but has yet to reach the pre-pandemic levels, according to the cinema chains.
In July 2020, the Government approved a scheme to develop the nighttime economy in Vietnam. Under the scheme, investments in nightlife entertainment services in the major cities of Hanoi, HCMC and Danang will be prioritized.
