Vinh City: Le Hong Son Street is free from encroachment after the peak month.
After a month of intensive enforcement, Le Hong Son street in Vinh City has seen positive changes. Beyond addressing violations, the city is also gradually allocating fixed business locations for small traders, aiming to ensure urban order and aesthetics, and create opportunities for residents to earn a living.
Positive developments after the peak month.
Le Hong Son Street, particularly the area in front of Vinh Market, the wholesale market, and Hong Son Temple, has long been considered a "hot spot" for encroachment on sidewalks and roads in Vinh City. During peak hours, this street is frequently congested due to hundreds of itinerant vendors setting up stalls haphazardly, spilling onto the road, obstructing traffic, and detracting from urban aesthetics.
In April 2025, Vinh City launched the "Month of Intensive Sidewalk Clearance" focusing on addressing the encroachment of roads and sidewalks along Le Hong Son Street. Authorities in Vinh Tan Ward mobilized maximum manpower and resources, coordinating closely with the Vinh Market Management Board, the wholesale market, and the Hong Son Temple historical site to implement comprehensive solutions.
During the first few days of the peak month, the forces focused on raising awareness, reminding, and encouraging people not to occupy sidewalks for trading. After this period, cases of deliberate violations were strictly dealt with according to the law.
According to statistics from the Vinh Tan Ward People's Committee, after one month of operation, the authorities have issued fines to 30 violators, totaling over 20 million VND. At the same time, hundreds of itinerant traders have voluntarily relocated from the area, freeing up relatively clear space.
According to our reporter's observations, after the holiday, Le Hong Son street is much less congested, with no more vendors setting up stalls in the middle of the road. While some fixed businesses still encroach on the sidewalks, the extent of this has significantly decreased. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thanh – Chairman of the Vinh Tan Ward People's Committee – shared: “Addressing sidewalk and road encroachment is not something that can be done overnight. However, we consider this a key, urgent, and ongoing task. After the peak period, the ward will continue to maintain its forces to inspect and strictly handle cases of repeated encroachment.”
This campaign involved the coordinated efforts of the ward police, the urban regulations team, neighborhood security guards, and many other organizations and associations. This demonstrates Vinh City's determination to systematically and sustainably improve urban order.
Besides the government's intervention, many small traders have become more aware of their violations after the relocation. Ms. NTH, a small trader from Nghi Loc district, shared: "We pledge not to repeat the offense and hope the government will soon arrange stable locations for us to do business long-term."
Arrange for fixed business locations for small traders.
In reality, one of the reasons for the persistent encroachment on sidewalks and roads in front of Vinh Market and the wholesale market is the lack of stable business locations for itinerant traders. Most of these households come from neighboring communes and districts, engaging in seasonal trading without registering their businesses.
Aware of this situation, the leaders of Vinh City have requested Vinh Tan ward to work with the Vinh Market Management Board and the wholesale market to review and rearrange stalls, creating conditions for traders to have fixed selling spaces and limiting spontaneous trading on sidewalks and roads.
However, according to a representative of the Vinh Market Management Board, there is still a considerable amount of vacant space at the wholesale market, located just a few hundred meters from Vinh Market. This is considered a "lifeline" to relocate the businesses of traders who are currently in violation of regulations.
Mr. Pham Hong Son, Deputy Head of the Vinh Wholesale Market Management Board, said: “We have about 200 business locations in the market square, with each household able to use an area of about 4m². In addition, the road leading to the market can accommodate about 100 more households. Basically, it is enough to meet the needs of small traders if they require it.”
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thanh, Chairman of the Vinh Tan Ward People's Committee, said: “We have agreed with the Wholesale Market Management Board to invite small traders to set up permanent businesses. In particular, the market will have many preferential policies to support small traders in the initial phase, such as waiving stall rent, cleaning fees, and parking fees for the first few months. According to statistics, more than 40 small traders have already registered to do business in the market.”
Mr. Tran Quang Lam, Vice Chairman of the Vinh City People's Committee, said: The city has also identified encouraging small traders to move into the market as a long-term strategy to completely eliminate encroachment and simultaneously improve urban civility.
The recent action to address sidewalk and road encroachment along Le Hong Son Street is an important first step in the urban beautification campaign that Vinh City is vigorously implementing. However, for long-term success, close coordination between the government, small traders, and residents is necessary. When vendors have stable spaces and buyers develop civilized habits, the streets will truly be spacious, clean, and safe.