Night food street

As part of the Vinh City People's Committee's plan for markets and specialized streets, the night food street at the Dao Tan parking lot will open at 5 PM on April 21, 2008, with space for 80 stalls (30 food stalls and 50 beverage stalls). This is the first pilot street, one of 2-3 others to be opened in various communes and wards in 2008.

As part of the Vinh City People's Committee's plan for markets and specialized streets, the night food street at the Dao Tan parking lot will open at 5 PM on April 21, 2008, with space for 80 stalls (30 food stalls and 50 beverage stalls). This is the first pilot street, one of 2-3 others to be opened in various communes and wards in 2008.

Located near Vinh Stadium – the "cauldron" of Nghe An football – the night food street boasts a fresh and cool atmosphere. Currently, 78 out of 80 stalls have registered their businesses with the City's Department of Industry and Trade. Thus, food, beverage, and refreshment vendors from locations in front of the 12-9 Cinema, along Quang Trung Street, at Vinh Market, and on sidewalks will be relocated here to free up space in the city...
The food street comprises business owners from five wards: Cửa Nam, Hồng Sơn, Quang Trung, Vinh Tân, and Đội Cung, and is managed by Cửa Nam ward. The city's policy is to waive investment fees for electricity, water, drainage, and toilets. There are no fees for business space in the first year, and no fees for sanitation, environment, or security for the first three months. The households themselves elect market managers. Business owners must sign a commitment to ensure food safety and hygiene (60 out of 78 households have already signed) and adhere strictly to the market's regulations. Businesses must strictly comply with the rule: operating from 5 PM the previous day to 7 AM the following day. Ms. Phan Thị Lý, residing in Cửa Nam ward, who previously sold porridge at night at 168 Phan Đình Phùng Street and has now moved to the night market, said: "Many times, while I was selling, the ward's regulations enforcement team would come and clear the sidewalk for pedestrians. Customers who were eating would get annoyed, leave, and never return." It would be safer here. However, she is also concerned because the space for the food stall is only 36 square meters. How can they establish a clear boundary with the neighboring stall to avoid disputes and conflicts? Ms. Le Thi Hong, from Block 11, Quang Trung, who sells drinks and dried squid in the evening, is worried because the electrical wires for the stalls are not fixed and are scattered on the ground, not ensuring safety. If it rains, they have to cover them with tarpaulins, which will make business difficult because the space for drinks is only 16 square meters. Moreover, selling goods through the night could create opportunities for some undesirable elements, so security and the regulations team need to operate throughout the night. Mr. Doan Huu Tho, from the regulations team of Cua Nam ward, expressed concern: "These are mostly sidewalk businesses, most of them are struggling, so conflicts are unavoidable because of the need to make a living. The regulations team is not well-organized, has not received proper training, and lacks experience." It requires coordination and cooperation from several communes and wards with businesses and the 113 emergency response force. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thanh, Head of the City's Department of Trade, Industry and Tourism, said: This is the first pilot food street, and we will open 2-3 more food streets to move all the food, drink, and beverage stalls currently operating on street corners and sidewalks into night markets, restoring the urban space. Stalls registered to sell in this area must sign a commitment to ensure food safety and hygiene and undergo periodic inspections by the City Health Center.

In the future, alongside the towering skyscrapers, brightly lit streets, colorful supermarkets and shops, and clean, beautiful, and spacious streets, Vinh City will have more night food streets. These will also be unique " tourist " destinations showcasing the culinary culture of Nghe An province.

Ha Linh
Source: Nghe An Newspaper, April 21, 2008

Source: https://www.nghean.gov.vn/am-thuc-xu-nghe/pho-am-thuc-dem-226081