Which direction for Cao Thang night street?

Operating at a standstill

StreetCao Thang, Hong Son ward is the first night street in Vinh city and Nghe An province, invested, renovated and upgraded by Vinh city in many items. In October 2019, Cao Thang night street officially came into operation. At first, the night street made a strong impression with a new, sparkling and diverse entertainment and shopping space, attracting a large number of people and tourists to visit and experience.

Cao Thang night street was invested and upgraded when it reopened in early July. Photo: Quang An

However, due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, Cao Thang night street had to temporarily suspend operations many times for a long time. It was not until early July 2022, after 2 years of interruption, that it officially resumed operations. Currently, 98 businesses and traders have signed business contracts at Cao Thang night street. The City People's Committee has also increased investment in highlight items for the night street such as: lighting systems, decorative electricity for the main hall of Vinh market and the night street, beautiful, modern booths, convenient for business...

However, according to the reporter's records, in more than 1 month of reopening, Cao Thang night street has been deserted, with not many people coming to visit and shop.

After more than a month of reopening, Cao Thang night street is often deserted and quiet. Photo: Quang An

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, a vendor at the night street, said: “Since the night street reopened, I have been opening my shop regularly every day, but the number of customers is not much. Only in the first week, when there were art programs, there were still customers coming and going, but in the past month, very few people have come out to visit and have fun, so the goods have not been sold much...”.

According to the reporter's investigation, there are many reasons why people and tourists are not "interested" in visiting and shopping here. The most obvious is that the goods for sale are not attractive. Of the 98 registered kiosks, up to 50% are clothing and footwear, the rest are mainly snacks, which are all items that people can buy anywhere in the area.

Goods on the night street are mainly clothes and snacks, with no diversity. Photo: Quang An

In addition, the workenvironmental sanitationin the night street is not guaranteed. Especially, in the afternoon, in the area of ​​Le Hong Son street in front of the night street, people focus on selling fresh food, littering and disposing of wastewater, causing environmental pollution. There are times when the night street is in operation but the garbage has not been collected, giving off an unpleasant smell.

According to the plan, the night street is not only a business location but also has entertainment, recreational activities, mass art, folk dances of organizations, wards, and communes in the area... However, in reality, these art programs are not maintained regularly, only appearing in the first few days, so they do not attract many participants. Some small traders, realizing that the business situation is not optimistic, have closed their kiosks and temporarily closed, making the night street even more gloomy.

Le Hong Son Street right next to the night market is not environmentally friendly every evening. Photo: Quang An

Implement multiple solutions simultaneously

Faced with the fact that Cao Thang night street has not yet returned to its expected level of operation, Vinh City has held a meeting with management and operation units to implement synchronous solutions to stimulate consumption, develop the night economy, with the goal of making Cao Thang night street vibrant and bustling again, worthy of the city's potential and large investment.

Accordingly, while previously, Cao Thang night street was assigned to Vinh Market Management Board and Hong Son Ward to coordinate management and operation, Vinh City has now connected with a business to directly manage the night street, and assigned specific tasks to this business, including implementing solutions to attract business people, creating a bustling, civilized, and friendly business environment. For small traders who have registered but violate the contract, do not go out to do business, cause environmental pollution, etc., they will be handled, have their kiosks revoked, and create conditions for other households in need.

Regarding goods traded at Cao Thang night street, to create diversity and richness, the city directed units to strengthen connections, bring back typical products of regions, OCOP products in the province to display at the night street.

Previously, small traders mainly lived in Vinh City, but now the city will create conditions for businesses from neighboring districts to register their businesses. Goods after each night of trading do not have to be transported home but will be arranged a location for safe storage and preservation in the Vinh market area.

Items at Cao Thang night street need to be diverse and new. Photo: Quang An

The city pays special attention to environmental sanitation issues. Accordingly, for spontaneous traders on Le Hong Son Street, right next to the night street, the police force, the urban order team, and Hong Son ward will mobilize to clear the area every day, strictly handling traders who deliberately encroach; at the same time, assign the environmental company to clean up the garbage before the night street comes into operation, move the location to store and compress the garbage about 500m - 1km away from the night street area.

In addition, organizations, groups and artists are also encouraged to go out to the night streets to perform cultural and artistic performances, maintain and create a vibrant atmosphere for the streets and will receive partial financial support from businesses.

Art programs in the night streets need to be maintained regularly to attract locals and tourists. Photo: Quang An

Through the discussion, Mr. Tran Quang Lam - Vice Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee said: "With the synchronous and drastic implementation of many solutions, along with the upgrading and methodical renovation, we hope that Cao Thang night street will become more and more vibrant, attracting a large number of people and tourists to visit and shop. Management units as well as business households have recognized the importance of developing the night economy, therefore, if they do not seriously carry out the tasks of maintaining the night street, they will be handled according to regulations".

Quang An