HANOI - Booming prostitution in communist-ruled Vietnam is being fueled
by corrupt state cadres who now comprise the majority of customers,
official media reported on Monday.
Anti-social evils chief Nguyen Thi Hue, in an interview published in
the weekly Vietnam Investment Review, said campaigns to eradicate
illicit . services had failed as up to 70 or 80 percent of customers
in 'bia om', or cuddle beer joints and karaoke parlours were state
employees.
Prostitution has boomed in Vietnam as the country introduced reforms to
allow the creation of a market-style economy. . is available in many
bars, restaurants, massage parlours, hotels, karaoke spots and on the
street.
``The situation is now serious,'' Hue was quoted as saying. ``It has
been well organised and developed in a sophisticated manner throughout
the country, partly to service high-ranking state employees and
officials.''
``I can say that those who come to 'bia om' are corrupt people because
they have to steal state money to pay for their dirty and expensive
entertainment activities,'' added Hue, whose department comes under the
Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Ministry.
Vietnam launched a high profile campaign against the social evils of
prostitution, drugs, gambling and corruption in early 1996. But heavy
rhetoric, periodic raids and television and poster campaigns appear to
have had little impact.
Hue said the Police (Interior) Ministry had files on some 185,000
prostitutes nationwide, and that at one point last year some 30 percent
of all . workers in this country of 79 million people were thought to
be under the age of 16.
She added that with so many state officials involved in prostitution it
was impossible to tackle the problem and called for tougher penalties
for prostitutes, pimps and customers.
``If we close down hundreds of bars and karaoke spots and put the
remainder under control, tighten management over state employees and
enforce tougher punishment against .-related activities, 80 percent
of the problem will be solved,'' Hue said.
Official media reported recently that Hanoi city authorities were
considering publishing names and addresses of anyone caught red-handed
with prostitutes.
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