In recent years, walking streets in urban areas have increasingly attracted tourists. Quang Ninh also has many walking streets, aiming to build tourism products. But in the long term, according to tourism experts, it is necessary to develop walking spaces in the direction that each place has its own characteristics associated with cultural, artistic, culinary and exhibition activities.
A walking street is simply understood as a street completely reserved for walking on both the roadway and sidewalk, without motor vehicles. An area can also have many walking streets connected in space and linked together in function, to enhance the cultural and economic space, increasing opportunities to enjoy material and spiritual benefits for the community.
In Vietnam, the first walking streets were deployed and achieved initial success, such as the pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle streets in Hoi An ancient town in 2004 and Nguyen Hue walking street (Ho Chi Minh City) in 2015, and Hoan Kiem Lake area (Hanoi) in 2016. With systematic investment, many new features, and located in the largest cities in the country, this space soon attracted a large number of tourists and gradually became a destination and an attractive tourism product.
“The walking street is not only a place to enjoy a slow lifestyle, but also gives tourists a new feeling and perspective on the destination, attracting many travel groups. This is also a place that can retain tourists” - Mr. Doan Manh Linh, Head of Travel Management Department, Department of Tourism assessed.
Following this trend, Quang Ninh initially also formed and developed many unique and successful walking streets. A typical example is Tien Yen walking street (Tien Yen town, Tien Yen district) because of its unique features and many attractive experiential activities. Operating since August 2017, the street is a space in two rows of Ly Thuong Kiet and Hoa Binh streets (Tien Yen town), including spaces with typical folk culture, markets, cuisine... exuding the theme "Ancient soul, old features of Tien Yen street".
The unique and interesting feature of Tien Yen walking street is the blend of Chinese and French architecture. The old two-storey houses, yin-yang tiled roofs, and brick walls blend into the peaceful space, attracting tourists. On weekends, Tien Yen walking street has vibrant cultural and artistic activities such as street music, folk dancing; exhibitions of paintings, photos, books, newspapers; fun activities for children; cuisine...
Along with Tien Yen, localities such as Hai Ha, Mong Cai ... also formed walking streets with unique features. With Quang Ha town walking street, the highlight is a 1km long walking journey, along the poetic Ha Coi river. With Mong Cai, the 2km long walking street is associated with many bustling shopping places on Tran Phu and Hoa Lac streets, along with the culinary space of Mong Cai and China specialties.
To develop tourism potential, according to experts, what we should care about is not the number of walking streets, but the quality of spatial connections and the value creation of those streets. In particular, each walking street must have its own values and characteristics.
Following this trend, recently (March 2023) two walking streets were established in the island communes of Minh Chau and Quan Lan (Van Don district). With a length of more than 500m, along the main streets, these streets will be bustling, adding services, island cuisine, check-in points... for tourists to the island. With Co To island district, the walking street in the town center is being paid attention to and upgraded by diversifying services. In Dong Trieu, there is Tue monk walking street (Dong Trieu town) recalling the heroic history and revolution. In Ha Long city, Long Tien pagoda walking street takes the old space, Bai Tho mountain, Long Tien pagoda as the highlight...
It can be seen that in recent years, walking streets have been formed in urban areas and tourist cities of the province, creating more space for cultural enjoyment, forming tourism products for tourists to choose from. However, to successfully implement, to make walking streets become "magnets" to attract tourists, it requires attention to innovation, investment, and unique features of each locality, instead of just "copying", replicating, which can easily make tourists forget.
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