Over the past week, three karaoke fires have happened in Binh Duong, Bac Ninh and Dong Nai provinces. The case in Binh Duong was particularly shocking, leaving 32 dead.
Following the incidents, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed to tighten control over karaoke operations.
Investigations showed that Hanoi is home to 1,400 karaokes. Some 58 percent were found to have violated fire safety requirements. Among those, 426 have pledged to deal with the problems, while another 326 that are unable to meet the standards have been suspended.
After the recent fires, the number of customers coming to karaokes in Hanoi has decreased.
At this time, a karaoke parlour on Tran Thai Tong Street, Cau Giay District, only welcomed 1-2 groups of customers during the day, half of its full capacity.
The same situation is seen on Nguyen Khang Street which is home to many karaokes.
The quiet atmosphere of a karaoke on Vu Pham Ham Street
A karaoke on Tran Dang Ninh Street.
On Vu Tong Phan Street
A staff member of a karaoke bar in Hanoi said that his facility was only open in the evening due to a sharp decline in customers. People often choose first or second-floor rooms, instead of upper floors.
