Walking street - expected to create a boost for the night economy in Thai Binh city

Lack of worthy destinations Thai Binh City is the administrative, economic and cultural center of the province. In recent years, the city has achieved great achievements in socio-economic development, urban development, the material and spiritual life of the people has been constantly improved, contributing significantly to the overall development of the province. The average growth rate of total production value in the 5 years (2021 - 2025) is estimated at 10.2%/year; of which, industrial and construction production increased by 10.5%/year, trade - services increased by 7.9%/year. The investment and business environment continues to improve; investment attraction and business development increased sharply in both the number of projects and registered investment capital.

In addition to the investment in entertainment venues with the expectation of creating a new look for the city's development, the night-time economy is also focused on by management because of its ability to bring in a significant source of revenue for the city. This is also a positive development direction that many localities such as Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh, Da Nang... have effectively implemented.

Currently, in Thai Binh city, night economic activities are quite diverse on many streets but mainly individual businesses and individuals; there are no night business streets combining cuisine , entertainment, shopping, culture, and art that are organized, managed, and have a recognizable identity to attract people and tourists. Besides, in some areas, there are still some night businesses encroaching on the road and sidewalk, causing loss of urban beauty. Implementing Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU, dated October 3, 2024 of the Provincial Party Committee on developing tourism into an important economic sector of the province, attracting about 600,000 visitors/year by 2030, forming 2-3 attractive tourist destinations in the city, Thai Binh city needs to strengthen the implementation of many exploitation activities, diversify tourism products, and awaken the potential for tourism development in the area. The construction of walking streets in the central area has been and is an inevitable trend, especially for a rapidly developing urban area with many landscape spaces and attractive streets like Thai Binh city.

Create highlights for cultural, commercial and service activities

In order to create a space for community cultural activities, meet the needs of entertainment, recreation, enjoyment of culture, art, cuisine of the people, and at the same time promote the image of the land and people of Thai Binh as friendly, hospitable, and rich in identity, the People's Committee of Thai Binh city has approved the "Pilot project to establish a walking street combined with night business in Thai Binh city", in which Dinh Tien Hoang street (from Ly Bon street to Le Quy Don street) and Ky Ba street (from Le Dai Hanh street to Dinh Tien Hoang street) and the parking lot of Ky Ba park adjacent to Dinh Tien Hoang street are selected as the walking street area. In addition, depending on the actual situation, some activities can be organized inside Ky Ba park. Orientation of space arrangement, activities and types of commercial and service businesses: stabilize and develop existing business activities, types of commercial and service businesses of households and individuals on the street; Business activities in the expected areas: food court, focusing on selling drinks, fast food, food; shopping area selling cosmetics, fashion, souvenirs, handicrafts, OCOP products; performing arts, culture, folk games, performing arts and culture, organizing exhibitions, folk games, community art space (painting; street art, music groups, folk bands, outdoor photo exhibitions...). At the same time, organizing festivals by theme, by season to create vibrant, new highlights. The walking street operates in the evenings on weekends, holidays, and Tet from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. (winter), from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. (summer). The walking street has invested about 7.7 billion VND to build modern and convenient infrastructure, from renovating and upgrading sidewalks, paving bricks, lighting systems, decorative lights to camera systems, free wifi to serve people and tourists. The walking street is systematically planned with street art performance areas and more than 70 souvenir stalls, specialty cuisine, check-in areas, cultural and artistic exhibitions... After 2 days of opening, the walking street has attracted tens of thousands of people to experience and shop.

Having been in the beverage business for 4 years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich, owner of kiosk number 15 on Dinh Tien Hoang walking street, said: Sales at the booth in the early days were quite positive. Customers were diverse, from young people to the elderly. Previously, I sold goods at my family in the alley, so the number of customers was not large; thanks to participating in the walking street, drinks became known to many people, so I expanded my business to include food. I hope that in the future, the walking street will continue to be maintained and developed, attracting a large number of people to experience and shop.

Joining the atmosphere of going out on the street, Ms. Le Ha My, Ky Ba ward, Thai Binh city was quite surprised by the unique features that the walking street brings. “On the same street, people will have completely different experiences between night and day. The kiosks, eye-catching decorated carts, and the bustling flow of people pouring here have added youthful, vibrant, and exciting colors to the street. In fact, the need for entertainment and recreation of the people is very large. Especially in modern life, when we go to work during the day, the time we have to relax and meet friends can only be done at night. When these services develop more, they will not only serve local people, but also be a mark to “retain” tourists. I hope the city will have a direction to both develop diverse types of services and better manage night services” - Ms. My shared.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, said: The pilot establishment of a walking street combined with night business is expected to create a community living space on weekends, holidays, and peak times for cultural, commercial and service activities. This is an effort to meet the needs of entertainment, recreation, exchange, enjoyment of culture, art and cuisine of the people and tourists; at the same time, contributing to promoting and preserving tangible and intangible cultural values, building a civilized urban beauty associated with regional identity, promoting the development of diverse types of trade, services and tourism in the city.