After Tet, many pubs in Vinh City are 'unprecedentedly empty of customers'

Having been in the drinking business for many years, Ms. Danh - the owner of a drinking shop on Phan Dang Luu Street, Vinh City, has never seen such a sharp decline in the number of customers. From the afternoon to the evening of February 21, there was only one table with customers, the remaining rows of tables and chairs were empty, set out and then the couple busily arranged them, closing a gloomy business day after Tet.

Ms. Danh shared: In previous years, after the Tet holiday, people often gathered, celebrated, and met at the beginning of the year. However, this year, it was completely deserted. We reopened the restaurant on the 5th day of Tet. Nearly a week has passed, but we only have a few tables of customers each day. This is something we had anticipated...

Phan Dang Luu Street has long been known as the drinking street of Vinh city and surrounding areas. However, according to the reporter's records in the days after Tet, the whole street is no longer as noisy and bustling as water. Dozens of drinking establishments have seen a sharp decrease in the number of customers. The busiest restaurant only has about 50% of its tables, the remaining restaurants only have the owner and staff waiting for customers...

Not only Phan Dang Luu Street, but other streets with many drinking establishments in Vinh City such as Nguyen Phong Sac, Nguyen Sy Sach, Le Loi, Le Nin Avenue, Phong Dinh Cang, Dao Tan, Vo Thi Sau, etc. are also in a similar situation. Although many restaurants have reopened very early after Tet, the number of customers visiting each day can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

It is known that the main reason for the series of deserted drinking places is because people are worried about violations.alcohol concentrationBesides, the economic recession also makes people cut down on spending on expensive entertainment.

According to statistics from the Traffic Police Department (Nghe An Provincial Police), during the 7-day Lunar New Year holiday in 2024, the Traffic Police force organized 1,018 patrol and control shifts with 4,144 officers and soldiers participating. Thereby, 1,992 cases of traffic safety and order were detected and recorded. Of these, 1,172 cases of alcohol concentration violations...

Mr. Phung Khac Ky - Ben Thuy ward, Vinh city shared: "During the last Tet holiday, I almost did not touch alcohol or beer because I had to travel a lot, there were police on duty on all roads to check alcohol concentration, the fines were very high so no one dared to violate. Now, forcing people to drink alcohol, especially during Tet holidays like before, has also decreased significantly because everyone understands and sympathizes with each other, gradually I believe that not driving after drinking alcohol or beer will become a habit and become a routine...".

The current tightening of alcohol concentration testing and treatment is widely agreed and supported by the people. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, the number of people hospitalized due to traffic accidents caused by alcohol during the Lunar New Year this year has decreased by more than 12%, which is a very encouraging sign. People are now gradually changing their awareness and behavior, strictly complying with the regulation "if you drink alcohol, do not drive."

Currently, for people who need to have parties and meetings that use alcohol, beer has changed the habit of gathering at home, not going out, if forced to go to restaurants, most of them contact taxis or technology cars to pick them up. Although it costs money, this will ensure the safety of people as well as avoid alcohol concentration testing. During the party, many people have also switched to using filtered water and soft drinks instead of beer and wine to be able to have fun and not violate alcohol concentration.

For restaurant owners, the inevitable decline in customer numbers means they are now focusing on finding ways to adapt. For some large restaurants, the owners have also implemented a plan to use shuttle buses to take “drinking guests” home after each party. The restaurant staff also proactively contacted a rental driver service to take guests home if they need it.

Due to the sharp decrease in demand for alcohol and beer, some restaurants are also limiting imports during this time. Some restaurants are cutting staff and food to reduce costs during the quiet days...