Need to restore Dam Tron Nha Trang market to develop tourism

The Advisory Council for the Dam Tron Market in Nha Trang has just recommended that the authorities of Khanh Hoa province should not demolish the Dam Tron Market, but should renovate it so that it can truly become an attractive tourist destination in Nha Trang city.

Overview of Dam Nha Trang market

Dam Tron Market Nha Trang is a typical architectural work in the Central region, put into operation in 1973. This work simulates a blooming lotus flower with an airy space. It is a symbol of the strong vitality of the people of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province, who have known how to transform a swampy place into a prosperous urban area.

In 2015, Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee assigned Song Da Nha Trang Joint Stock Company to implement the Dam market project. This enterprise built the new Dam market right behind the Dam Tron market. When planning and approving the new Dam market project, the investor was allowed to demolish the entire Dam Tron Nha Trang market to build another project. However, this action was opposed by the people and traders. Currently, Dam Tron market is closed but some traders try to stick to the corridors to sell goods.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, a trader at Dam market, said that because the old and new buildings lacked connection and had not been invested in synchronously, they were very shabby, causing loss of urban beauty: "Now the market is very shabby, dirty and littered, not eye-catching, and does not attract tourists. Before Dam market was the most satisfying tourist destination. If you come to Nha Trang but have not been to Dam market, you have not been to Nha Trang. At that time, it was bustling, crowded with business, and visitors from everywhere flocked to it. We must somehow solve the image of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa to attract visitors back."

Because the Dam Tron Nha Trang market is a unique architectural structure, bearing the historical and cultural mark of Nha Trang city, the Standing Committee of Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee requested the Party Committee of the Provincial People's Committee to consult with experts and scientists before deciding on its demolition. The Khanh Hoa Provincial Science and Technology Association has established a Advisory Council for the Dam Tron Nha Trang market project and organized a workshop on "Architectural, historical, cultural, social, economic values and the Dam Tron market brand". The workshop was attended by delegates who are leaders of many agencies, departments, branches and sectors of the province, representatives of Nha Trang city and local wards, along with experts, architects, scholars, scientists and members of the Advisory Council for the Dam Tron market project.

The two new and old Dam market projects lack coordination.

The workshop unanimously assessed that "Dam Tron Market has become a part of the heritage of memories of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa, connecting generations of residents and tourists, so it has been burdened with so much love for the land, people, and country here". Therefore, "Dam Tron Market has been, is and will always be a highlight with unique and special economic and cultural brand value for a locality with a developed tourism and trade industry like Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa". Delegates recommended that the leaders of Khanh Hoa province and competent authorities should soon adjust the detailed planning 1/500 of Dam Nha Trang market area accordingly. At the same time, "it must not be demolished but must be repaired, embellished, and promoted the value of Dam Tron Market, meeting the needs of contemporary life".

Dam Market is still a destination for many tourists.

Mr. Pham Van Chi - Chairman of Khanh Hoa Province Intellectuals Association, former Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee suggested that it is necessary to reinforce and renovate Dam Tron Nha Trang market to make it more beautiful, to ensure long-term safety for the project and for traders and tourists coming to Dam Tron Nha Trang market in the future. In particular, investing in building Dam Tron market into a tourist destination, a place for tourists to shop at night.

"The market is very unique in the whole country, there is no other round market like Dam market. Now, if we want it to be beautiful, we have to remove all the businesses surrounding the sidewalk of Dam market, widen the distance between the round market and the new market. Continue to arrange the businesses on the ground floor. The second floor of Dam market will be used for services promoting destinations and tourist attractions. The outside must be cleaned up to make a night market to attract tourists," said Mr. Pham Van Chi.

Source