Four of the biggest cities in Vietnam have been asked to implement anti-prostitution measures and send their plans to the Prime Minister before July 5.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, northern provinces of Hai Phong and Nam Dinh to urgently adopt anti-prostitution measures so as to curb this social evil.
Public concern on prostitution was raised recently, especially after Pham Ngoc Dung from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs said no prostitute has been seen in Do Son in Hai Phong Province and Quat Lam in Nam Dinh Province. These two areas already have a notorious reputation, and public outcry has been drawn to these two prostitution hubs.
The PM said that after a hiatus, prostitution-related crimes are again on an upward trend, affecting society at large.
Thus the three Ministries of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; Culture, Sports and Tourism; Information and Communications, will instruct local governments to enhance propaganda of anti-prostitution law and policies as well as crack down on sexually provocative acts commonly performed in sleazy cafés, discotheques, barbershops, karaoke bars, massage, sauna and traditional therapy centers and spas.
Municipal and provincial people’s committees will have to strengthen measures to crack down on this social evil. Harsh penalties should also be issued on sex brokers and those who perform sex with juvenile persons.
