There have just been recent stories in the VN press that Vietnam has one of the world's heaviest smoking populations, although it's been declining slowly. So it wouldn't be long before the sudden interest in smoking would turn into local action. Came much faster than I expected.

At least they kept the airport smoking areas, as puny and awful as they are. Not to forget the Chinese and Koreans who toss still burning cigs into the ash tray and walk out. Dolts!

I always thought being able to smoke in restaurants in VN went too far.

The only news source I can find is a huge, long graphic at Vietnam Plus, but I cannot figure out how to make it appear in this space. Link to it below.

Anyway, some details from the graphic:

PLACES WHERE SMOKING IS COMPLETELY PROHIBITED INDOORS:
Public places:
Food service establishments,
Entertainment facilities,
Railway stations, wharves, bus stations,
Religious facilities and places of worship,
Convention centres,
Commercial centres, markets
Theatres, cultural houses, cinemas, circuses, clubs, sports halls, stadiums,
Community houses and common areas of apartment buildings
Other public places

PROHIBITED INDOORS BUT MAY HAVE SEPARATE AREAS
FOR SMOKERS:

Isolation areas
at airports

Hotels, motels, guest houses, resorts, other tourist accommodation

Bars, karaoke parlours,
dance halls

Public transport including ships, trains

https://en.vietnamplus.vn/smoking-ban-i ... 254678.vnp

Unbelievable! Vietnam is only like 20 years behind Thailand in this respect! Can't believe it wasn't illegal to smoke indoors in Vietnam years ago. It's like Vietnam is stuck in the 80s or 90s. That being said, smoking hasn't been allowed at Vietnamese malls, supermarkets, chain restaurants and chain coffee shops (except outdoors) for years.

Is smoking legal in bars and restaurants in Cambodia? I heard somewhere that its not, but every cafe, bar and restaurant allows smoking so maybe I misheard.

hdgh29 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 29, 2023 9:11 pm Is smoking legal in bars and restaurants in Cambodia? I heard somewhere that its not, but every cafe, bar and restaurant allows smoking so maybe I misheard.

Smoking indoors in restaurants, bars, hotels, etc was made illegal in Cambodia several years ago...however, enforcement of said law is pretty much non-existent. Some establishments follow the law and enforce the non-smoking policy, but many still allow it.