Night economy in Vinh city - some initial thoughts

Night-time economy (NTE) is not a new form of activity in the world and even in Vietnam. In many big cities, it has existed for a long time and is quite developed such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang...

Right in Vinh City, there has been a night market on Dao Tan Street that has been operating for a long time, originally to serve athletes around the old Department of Sports and Physical Education area and people in the surrounding area. And I still remember when I lived in the Thanh Tra Collective Area, because it was close to the main road, almost every night, around 11 pm, regardless of the hot summer or the freezing winter, I would hear the call "Who wants banh gai?" from a street vendor. Many times, even though I wasn't hungry, I still got out of bed to buy some for her... That's NTE.

Cao Thang night street is sparkling on opening day. Photo: Thanh Cuong

The role of the night economy is quite clear in the field of trade and services, creating better conditions to meet the growing and increasingly diverse needs of consumers and also has a role in stimulating demand (like my story above). Especially in places where tourism is identified as a pillar of socio-economic development, NTE needs to receive more attention from the government, businesses, and small traders...

Vinh City has just officially opened a night street on Cao Thang Street, in front of Vinh Market, connecting from Quang Trung - Tran Phu intersection to Hong Son Street. This is a correct policy. However, in order to promote positive factors, limit and eliminate negative factors, the City People's Committee should note:

Small traders doing business at Cao Thang night street. Photo: Archive

- Issue mechanisms and policies to manage, support and control well NTE activities in general and Cao Thang night street in particular;

- Strengthening the work of ensuring food safety and hygiene, on-site food processing, quality of goods and services...;

Night streets must ensure safety for people walking around. Photo: Lam Tung

- Ensure absolute security and safety for customers and tourists, resolutely prevent theft, robbery, or overcharging of tourists, and do not give criminals a chance to operate...;

- Ensure cleanliness and environmental friendliness; promote cultural lifestyle in public places;

Lion dancing, stilt walking, and unicycle riding by circus performers attract many people at Cao Thang night street. Photo: Lam Tung

- Encourage the development of diversity and uniqueness in the provision of goods and services in NTE, from food products, consumer goods to cultural activities, art performances, harmoniously and smoothly combining walking space, health training with food business, other goods and services...;

- Ensure synchronization between commercial development and tourism and culture (in terms of infrastructure: streets, restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues as well as mechanisms and policies to attract more people and retain tourists longer)...