Opportunities for the night-time economy from seamless spaces.

Many expectations have been raised regarding the expansion of Quang Nam's night-time economic space after its merger with Da Nang City. However, for harmonious and sustainable development, detailed planning and zoning are necessary to create diverse and abundant services.

To date, Hoi An has not been able to implement its night-time economy development plan.

The night-time economy project in Hoi An remains unfinished.

Five years ago, the Project on developing the night-time economy in Vietnam was approved by the Prime Minister (Decision No. 1129). This is considered an important premise and basis for localities such as Quang Nam to promote the exploitation of the potential for night-time economic development, creating a driving force to promote the economy, improve income and people's lives...

In 2023, Hoi An has decided to unify the policy of developing the night economy at the CC2 land area (Fishing Village No. 4, Cam An Ward, Hoi An City) with entertainment services combined with culinary services, typical coastal food, creating new tourism products for the locality. However, it has not been possible to implement so far.

Despite the "support" from Resolution No. 31 of the Provincial Party Committee, with the viewpoint of "investing in building and developing Hoi An City in the direction of an ecological - cultural - tourist city to maximize its potential and available advantages". In the task groups, the key solutions include the requirement of "promoting the development of the night-time economy and commercial services in Hoi An City".

In May 2024, Hoi An City contracted a consulting firm to develop a plan for its night-time economy and approved the first draft. However, the project has been temporarily suspended due to the city government's policy of ceasing operations.

Mr. Nguyen Van Lanh - Vice Chairman of Hoi An City People's Committee admitted that although the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism urged, the city could not complete it in time, not to mention the issue of investors and the issue of settling the costs later when the city government model no longer exists. Therefore, the outline is temporarily closed waiting for the arrangement of new wards and communes, including the merger of provinces, then handing over to the localities and related units for further consideration.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that for a long time, Hoi An has also implemented a number of very good night-time economic service models, but to develop synchronously and effectively, it is necessary to have research and develop a methodical project associated with regional planning (satellite areas, outside the old town) and increase investment in night-time service activities such as culture, events, entertainment, and recreation to serve tourists all night, especially international visitors...

Post-merger expectations

Currently, Da Nang is a locality that has effectively developed a night-time economic model with many outstanding tourism products and night-time services, from An Thuong tourist area; My An night beach; Bach Dang walking street; to services for night-time tourists at Son Tra night market, night cruises on the Han River; night events and festivals...

Da Nang has extensive experience in developing its night-time economy. In the photo: Foreign tourists on Bach Dang pedestrian street. Photo: Vinh Loc

Therefore, the merger between Quang Nam and Da Nang is expected to expand the night-time economic space, and southern localities will be able to leverage the experience, policies, and infrastructure of Da Nang City.

Mr. Le Tan Thanh Tung - Deputy General Director of Vitraco Tourism - Event - Transportation Company said that with experience and a basically complete infrastructure system serving the night economy, when merging the two localities, it will certainly form a large development space, thereby creating a chain of tourism values, continuous night services, contributing to increasing the length of stay and spending of tourists.

“After the merger, the eastern coastal region of Quang Nam will have the opportunity to access larger investment resources, including FDI capital and tourism service businesses already operating in Da Nang. These businesses can expand their operations to the south of the city, bringing many opportunities for tourism industries and services, especially the night-time economy.

"Tourists will no longer feel limited by administrative boundaries as before, so they will enjoy nightlife more. Not to mention, the operating hours of nighttime attractions will also be more consistent, following the direction that Da Nang City is currently implementing," Mr. Tung analyzed.

While agreeing on the opportunities for developing the night-time economic space, Mr. Le Quoc Viet, Chairman of the Quang Nam Destination Club, believes that after the merger, the (new) Da Nang City needs a specific, harmonious, and polarized plan for product groups, focusing on those with their own unique and distinctive characteristics.

According to him, Hoi An can develop its night economy in a quiet, peaceful, and eco-friendly way, but it can still operate late into the night, such as recreating the life of Cam An fishing village at night through fishing activities for visitors to experience, and it doesn't necessarily have to be bars, pubs, or nightclubs…

“In particular, the southern area of ​​Hoi An such as Duy Xuyen, Thang Binh, Tam Ky has the advantage of large land funds, with a lot of room to turn into OCOP product shopping centers, creating opportunities for the development of craft villages in the suburbs, limiting the concentration of too much in the core area of ​​Hoi An, causing overload of services and infrastructure, while also helping customers of each market and age group have many choices,” Mr. Viet shared.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/co-hoi-cho-kinh-te-dem-tu-khong-gian-lien-mach-3157129.html