Vietnam should consider establishing red-light districts in the special economic zones where local gambling is permitted, says a top lawmaker in ther country.
“Life has such realistic demands,” said Phung Quoc Hien, the vice chairman of the legislative National Assembly, at a meeting of the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Monday.
“We’ve got to go with the flow and work out an appropriate management mechanism,” he added.
The special economic zones that will allow local gambling include the Van Don Special Economic Zone in the northern province of Quang Ninh, Van Phong in the central province of Khanh Hoa and the southern resort island of Phu Quoc.
While gambling in these zones has been approved, Monday’s parliamentary meeting was the first time that the licensing of a red-light area had been officially considered.
Hien’s suggestion was expectedly met with reservation by some. “This is a sensitive matter,” said Tran Chi Dung, the director of the tourism department in Kien Giang Province.
The legalisation of local casinos came after many rounds of discussions and legal prostitution must also be dealt in the same cautious manner, he said.
Source: Asia Gaming Brief
