Bui Vien Street: Time to return to its true meaning as a 'Western street'

Bui Vien walking street used to be a vibrant symbol of Ho Chi Minh City - a place where local culture and international energy intersect. But unfortunately, after a period of undirected development, the image of the "Western street" of the past has gradually been distorted.

Bui Vien walking street (Ben Thanh ward, Ho Chi Minh City) has a large number of visitors at night to have fun, entertain, and experience cuisine , especially foreign visitors - Photo: QUANG DINH

Bui Vien walking street is now sometimes chaotic, the sound is like torture, bars have loud music, sidewalks are encroached and it is even a place where laughing gas is secretly rampant.

If Ho Chi Minh City has Bui Vien, Hanoi has the bustling "Western street" Ta Hien with a nighttime dining atmosphere for tourists but without being "tortured" by noise.

A true "Western street" should be a place of civilized exchange, of selective street art, of local beers, of delicious, clean meals and of valuable experiences. Bui Vien is given the sad name: "Poison Street".

Bui Vien Street: expectations and decline

As a long-time tourism worker, I used to be proud to introduce Bui Vien to international friends. But recently, every time I mention it, I can only sigh.

Not only do civilized tourists stay away, but even Ho Chi Minh City residents no longer want to come here. Many decent businesses and quality restaurants have quietly withdrawn from Bui Vien.

When planned as a walking city (in 2017), Bui Vien had the expectation of becoming "Khao San Road of Vietnam" - an ideal place for tourists to experience cuisine, music, street culture and make international friends.

With its rich history, central location and large number of foreign visitors, Bui Vien has full potential to become a cultural symbol of Ho Chi Minh City's nightlife.

Instead of developing in a sophisticated, unique direction, Bui Vien has become a "chaotic sound feast" every night. Loud loudspeakers and bar music fill the streets. Restaurants and bars have sprung up like mushrooms but lack identity, focusing only on selling cheap beer and bars.

These things not only repel quality tourists but also cause inconvenience to the people living around the area.

It is time to stop ignoring this reality. We need serious and close involvement from both businesses operating here and local authorities.

Bui Vien Western Street is a bustling nightlife spot in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: TTD

Need a drastic reform

On the government side, we must resolutely restore social order, control noise levels, rectify encroachment on sidewalks and trade in disguised stimulants such as laughing gas. Establish a framework of operating criteria for businesses in Bui Vien, requiring registration and approval according to a healthy business model.

Businesses need to be more conscious about maintaining their public image. Don’t let short-term gains affect the whole neighborhood. Aim for professional service, quality food, moderate music, harmonious lighting and a safe space for all visitors, including women and children.

If Bui Vien wants to become a true cultural and tourist destination, it is necessary to reposition the products of the whole street. Invite prestigious culinary brands and famous chefs to open restaurants here.

Bui Vien should be a place where diners can find authentic Vietnamese dishes, from Hue beef noodle soup, Hanoi grilled pork noodle soup to beef noodle soup or chicken noodle soup, hu tieu, broken rice, banh mi... in a civilized, clean space.

Regular street performances – acoustic, dance, small circus – should be organised instead of loud bar music. Craft beer bars and local cafes will add depth to the experience.

Need for tourism connection: turn Bui Vien into the starting point of city tours, night food tours. Integrate digital technology in payment, table reservations, and services for tourists' convenience during their experience.

According to documents from the book Ho Chi Minh City Streets , this street is named after Bui Vien - a famous mandarin of the Nguyen Dynasty, who was sent by King Tu Duc as an envoy to the US to establish diplomatic relations in the late 19th century.

It was a historic trip as Vietnam sought access to the Western world amid international turmoil.

Although only over 1km long, the historical value and symbolic significance of this road is undeniable.

Bui Vien can become a national brand

Bui Vien can become a national brand if done right. Let's not let it be forever associated with an ugly, chaotic image. Let's preserve it as a cultural "asset", a tourism brand that Ho Chi Minh City can be proud of.

Rebuilding Bui Vien will not happen overnight. But small steps – from noise control, to removing laughing gas, to attracting quality food businesses – will help restore the proper rhythm of a truly “Western street”.

Bui Vien - let's make this a place where people want to come and want to return. A street with a prestigious history, let's make it bright and civilized again.

If reshaped properly, Bui Vien is not just a walking entertainment street. It can completely become a city-level cultural and tourism brand, even a national brand.

Why can't we turn Bui Vien into a more refined icon if Bangkok has Khao San and Singapore has Clarke Quay?

Trinh Nguyen Hung Dung (Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association)

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/pho-bui-vien-da-den-luc-tro-ve-dung-nghia-pho-tay-202507300823023.htm