Show movies until 2 am, not round the clock: cinema department

Thanh said last weekend he was in favor of the proposal from cinema chains - CGV, BHD Star, Galaxy, and Lotte - to keep their theaters open past midnight, according to a report on the government portal.

Last week, the four chains had asked the government to amend regulations and allow them to screen movies after midnight, helping theaters earn more and provide moviegoers more options.

At present, screenings are allowed between 8 a.m. and midnight and violations can attract fines of up to VND10 million ($427).

However, Thanh said the theaters shouldn’t stay open 24 hours. He urged the cinema chains to conduct in-depth market research and determine the ideal times when people want to see movies.

Theaters should be allowed to open after midnight only in areas where the night economy was thriving and only after all necessary measures have been taken to ensure patrons’ safety, he added.

The department has already written to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism recommending that cinema hours be extended past midnight. The ministry will solicit feedback from other agencies before reporting to the prime minister.

Film director Nguyen Quang Dung said: "It doesn't matter to me if cinemas are open until 2 a.m. or 6 a.m. as long as security is assured. Given their busy schedules, many office workers can only hit movie theaters at odd hours.

"At the same time, cinema chains will have the opportunity to make the most of blockbuster films with more screenings."

Dung said safety should not be a major issue, given that most modern theater complexes have surveillance cameras installed.

Nguyen Thi Mai Hoa, CEO of Galaxy Cinema, said her chain would only open theaters past midnight in areas with a proven history of late-night foot traffic and heightened security. "We are also concerned about our staff’s safety and health."

She also agreed with the proposal that screenings be allowed until 2 a.m., saying it would give theaters more screening time to cater to the needs of audiences during the Lunar New Year festival and other holidays.

Nguyen Hoang Hai, CJ CGV content director, said the cinema chain can maintain security, safety and urban order with late night screenings since their facilities were appropriately designed with soundproofing and safety systems in accordance with national technical regulations.

With the Covid pandemic easing, cinemas across the country are seeing revenues increase, especially thanks to some blockbusters like "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness", which earned over VND200 billion (over $8.54 million), and "Minions: The Rise of Gru" with VND196 billion (over $8.37 million) and others.

In July 2020, the government approved a plan to expand the country's night-time economy. It authorized studies on the advisability and potential of investments for separate night-time entertainment complexes in Hanoi, HCMC, and Da Nang for the 2021-2025 period, as well as extending the hours when night-time services are provided in major cities from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.