Some bars to stay open later to help economy

      Vietnam will extend opening hours for bars in some luxury hotels until 2 a.m. as part of efforts to boost a slowing economy.
The government “has agreed to let some hotels with four stars or more to provide entertainment services until 2 a.m. every day from now to the end of 2010,” according to a statement on the government’s website.
The Vietnamese government is trying to increase production and exports to help growth exceed a target of 5 percent this year. The US$90 billion economy expanded 6.2 percent last year, the slowest since 1999.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will select a list of bars that can stay open later, and the Ministry of Public Security will help with implementing the extended hours, the statement said.