Fewer revelers are going to bia hoi or keg spots across the capital city after a new regulation stipulating more severe fines for drunken drivers and cyclists took effect earlier this month.
| Keg spots along the streets in Hanoi become deserted after the fining on drunken drivers taking effect. Photo by VnExpress. |
Decree 100 provides that bicycle and electric bike riders, motorbike and car drivers with alcohol in their blood face heavier fines and may even have their driving licenses revoked for up to 24 months.
Some beer shop owners estimated that they have lost 50% of daily revenues due to the sudden plunge in the number of revelers over the past week. The street keg spots in Hanoi remain deserted despite the hospitable waving of waiters.
Some restaurants and diners even offer a lot of attractive promotions including 'buy two get one' or discounts but their beer places have not been able to return to the splendor of before January 1, 2020.
Since the decree became effective, the police forces have handled as many as 2,000 cyclists and four-wheeler drivers driving under the influence of alcohol. Therefore, people are more cautious about drinking beer and alcohol.
Though it could be sad news for business owners, it promotes the safer environment for Hanoi citizens as risks may be derived from just a beer glass.
Stricter punishments are imposed on drunken riders as the past years witnessed many regrettable accidents due to excessive drinking among drivers.
