Da Nang cops propose late-night booze ban   The Da Nang police have recommended a ban on the sale of beer and liquor after 10 p.m. exactly at the same time the Hanoi administration is set to lift a midnight curfew on partying to promote tourism. Colonel Le Ngoc, the Da Nang traffic police chief, said the police department would submit the proposal to the People’s Committee soon. If accepted, restaurants and eateries will be prohibited from selling alcohol after 10 p.m. The police would also recommend penalties for violators, Tuoi Tre quoted Ngoc as saying. However, he did not elaborate. In a move to reduce traffic accidents, in February Da Nang began to teach road etiquette to people applying for a motorbike driving license. Ngoc said: “[They] will be shown images of traffic accidents. We hope they will become responsible drivers.” Da Nang recorded 59 accidents in the first half of this year in which 43 people were killed and 38 injured, a slight decrease year-on-year. Elsewhere, Do Dinh Hong, director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said lifting the midnight ban on restaurants, bars and nightclubs would be an effective and practical move since tourists would stay longer and spend more. A roadside beer place in Hanoi. Photo: Ngoc Thang A late night liquor ban has been proposed several times in Ho Chi Minh City since 2013-2014 but has never been implemented due to controversies. However, traffic police have announced plans to set up more checkpoints near restaurants and nightclubs in the city as well as in Hanoi, Da Nang and Can Tho to handle drunk drivers. The campaign will last for a month from August 16 in a move that also aims to maintain security during Revolution Day (August 19) and Independence Day (September 2). Thanh Nien News