Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports continues to invite parties to resolve the Russian Market case.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports said it will invite relevant parties to work at the Russian Market early next week.

The Box Market shopping area at 125 Hai Ba Trung, Saigon ward when it was still in operation - Photo: TTD

On the afternoon of October 16, at a regular press conference at the Ho Chi Minh City Press Center, Mr. Tran Trong Nghia - Head of the Economic , Infrastructure and Urban Department of the People's Committee of Saigon Ward - responded to Tuoi Tre Online 's question regarding Ho Chi Minh City Telecommunications leasing business premises at 125 Hai Ba Trung, Saigon Ward.

What does Saigon Ward People's Committee say about Russian Market?

Mr. Trong Nghia said that on August 19, the People's Committee of Saigon Ward inspected the construction project at 125 Hai Ba Trung, Saigon Ward. After that, the ward noted the need for repairs because this project is located in the core area, adjacent to relics and works on the list of relic inventories such as the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office , Notre Dame Cathedral, etc.

Afterwards, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City sent a response letter to Saigon Ward stating that the construction at 125 Hai Ba Trung Street, Saigon Ward has not been classified as a relic and is not on the list of relics to be inventoried in Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, the investor must comply with the provisions of the law on construction when renovating the construction.

The Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City requested Ho Chi Minh City Telecommunications to note that the colors and exterior decorations need to be harmonious and avoid contrasting with surrounding monuments.

“The project is being repaired in its original state, in accordance with current regulations. The People’s Committee of Saigon Ward has coordinated with the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City to inspect the business units and found that they have arranged stalls and some business items.

The entity that hung the Nga Market sign on the wall of the Ho Chi Minh City Telecommunications building on Nguyen Van Binh Street is Tien Giang Tourism Joint Stock Company. This entity applied for a branch license at 125 Hai Ba Trung, stating it as Nga Market Trade Center.

After checking the documents, we requested to remove the Russian Market signboard, in accordance with advertising laws" - Mr. Tran Trong Nghia shared.

The entrance to Russian Market on Nguyen Van Binh Street was closed on the morning of October 9 - Photo: TTD

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoi - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City - said at the press conference: "We plan to invite the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street Company, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, the People's Committee of Saigon Ward... and the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee's Propaganda Department to participate in resolving this matter early next week."

The Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City emphasized that the major issue that the press and public are concerned about is business in the core heritage area associated with cultural space.

Developments of the debate on the Russian Market

Previously, The Box Market shopping area appeared at the corner of Nguyen Van Binh - Hai Ba Trung street, the coffee shop under construction at the corner of Hai Ba Trung - Nguyen Du street or the "Russian Market" sign on the wall of a building on Nguyen Van Binh street caused many controversial debates.

On October 6, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City held a meeting to record the opinions of relevant parties.

Mr. Do Ngoc Hung - representative of Ho Chi Minh City Telecommunications - said that Ho Chi Minh City Telecommunications's leasing of business premises to units is based on legal grounds.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhut - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City - said that although this building has not been classified as a relic, it is located in the core area adjacent to the heritage, so any activity needs to consider the impact on the general cultural landscape of the area.

After that, Russian Market, The Box Market in the Ho Chi Minh City Telecommunications building temporarily closed after controversial debates and there is no announcement of when it will reopen.

HOAI PHUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/so-van-hoa-va-the-thao-tp-hcm-tiep-tuc-moi-cac-ben-giai-quyet-dut-diem-vu-cho-nga-20251016175154952.htm