How is Vinh city walking street after 1 year of operation?

Highlights of Vinh city

Early April 2022,Vinh walking streetofficially put into operation after 3 years of upgrading items. The routes: Ho Tung Mau, Nguyen Van Cu, Nguyen Tai and alley 2 Nguyen Van Cu connecting Nguyen Trung Ngan street after being renovated have put on a new coat, more sparkling, modern with a system of green trees, brilliant lights at night.

Vinh walking street attracted thousands of participants when it opened. Photo: QA

The walking street was put into operation at the right time when the Covid-19 epidemic in Nghe An in general and Vinh City in particular was under control, and people's need for entertainment and meetings increased after 2 years of quarantine interruption.

According to statistics from the Management Board, every night the walking street is open, the number of visitors ranges from 5,000 to 7,000 people. During times when there are big events, this number can increase several times.

Nguyen Van Cu walking street is bustling at night. Photo: QA

Since the walking street came into operation, it has become a place for exchange and meeting of artisans, groups of young people, clubs and has become a destination to meet the indispensable spiritual needs of every weekend of Vinh city residents in particular.

On the streets, there are places to perform attractive cultural performances, from traditional Nghe folk songs to modern dance performances, games that bring visitors back to their childhood such as o an quan, skipping rope, jumping on bamboo poles, making to he figurines... which make people very excited.

Special art performances are presented at the walking street. Photo: QA

In addition to cultural and artistic programs, the walking street has also helped businesses here become more bustling with a huge number of people coming here. Many shops on the streets that used to close on weekend nights are now operating continuously because of the additional customers. In addition to fixed businesses, Vinh City has also created conditions for dozens of households to have locations to sell snacks, soft drinks, souvenirs, etc. when the night street is open.

Mr. Tran Dong Duc, a snack vendor at the walking street, shared: Before, we were mainly street vendors, without a stable business location, and the number of customers was erratic. However, since the walking street opened, the city has created favorable conditions for us to have a business location, and with the large number of people coming here, business has gradually improved. The business fee per night is only 40,000 VND, which is very reasonable for small traders like us.

Vinh City creates favorable conditions for households to do business when the walking street is in operation. Photo: QA

Since the walking street began operating, every month, Vinh city and its departments have organized many cultural and artistic events, displayed product booths, and launched holidays...

Most recently, on the evening of March 10, the Department of Industry and Trade of Nghe An coordinated with the People's Committee of Vinh City and related departments and branches to organize the Launching Ceremony of Vietnam Consumer Rights Day 2023, witnessed by a large number of people and tourists at the walking street. With a large number of participants, along with thousands of smartphones ready to take photos, livestream... the spread of these events to the community was strongly covered, achieving high communication efficiency.

Major events chosen by departments, agencies, and sectors of Vinh City to be held on the walking street bring high communication efficiency. Photo: QA

There are still shortcomings

According to records, although Vinh City's walking street has made many impressions on people and tourists from near and far, however, during the operation process over the past year, there are still shortcomings that need to be improved to better serve the needs of the people as well as to be worthy of the expectation of being a highlight of modern Vinh city, a spearhead in the development of the night-time economy.

Although the project has 4 walking streets, only Ho Tung Mau and Nguyen Van Cu streets are operating stably. The remaining 2 streets have not made an impression on residents and tourists. Graphics: QA

According to the project, Vinh City's walking street includes 4 routes: Ho Tung Mau, Nguyen Van Cu, Nguyen Tai and alley 2 Nguyen Van Cu street connecting Nguyen Trung Ngan street. However, in reality, the walking street is only really bustling on Ho Tung Mau and Nguyen Van Cu streets. The remaining 2 routes have not yet created attraction, the number of participants is very limited.

Nguyen Tai Street is deserted when the walking street is in operation. Photo: QA

Specifically, on Nguyen Tai Street, according to the plan, this is the culinary street of the walking street, however, on this street there are not many people passing by when the walking street is in operation, the shops are not open regularly, only flourishing about 200 meters from the intersection with Ho Tung Mau Street. However, these shops often violate environmental hygiene and security and order issues.

The remaining route, Lane 2 of Nguyen Van Cu Street connecting Nguyen Trung Ngan, is even more deserted. This area is rarely visited by people, and many people do not even know that this is one of the walking streets of Vinh City.

Alley 2 of Nguyen Van Cu Street connecting Nguyen Trung Ngan Street was once fenced off to be used as a parking lot, even though this was a proposed walking route. Photo: QA

In addition to uneven operations on the streets, business on the walking street is still monotonous, the products are not diverse, mostly snacks and drinks; especially lacking regional specialties, OCOP of Nghe An, which if displayed, would be a great opportunity to reach a huge number of customers.

The art programs on the walking street are still following the same path, without any breakthroughs, the performances of groups and clubs are not consistent, leading to a gradual decrease in attraction. Unless there are big events held on the walking street such as music festivals, fashion shows, etc., there will be a large number of interested people.

In addition, during its operation, the walking street has had some unexpected "mistakes", such as pairing children up, overcharging for parking tickets...

Littering still occurs when the walking street is in operation. Photo: QA

Through the discussion, the representative of Vinh City's leadership said: The walking street coming into operation is a major event of the city in the past year. Although it has created an effect and impression for people and tourists, because it is the first time it is put into operation, there will certainly be some incomplete points. The city will be receptive to and accept comments and contributions, and in the coming time, it will direct the functional forces and the walking street management board to strengthen management work, ensure the environment, security and order on the streets; continue to learn from experience to diversify types of activities...

Quang An -