Ho Chi Minh City: Need specific solutions to make the night-time economy "shine" more

Recreational activities, entertainment, cultural and artistic performances, culinary enjoyment... taking place from 6pm the previous day to 6am the next day are collectively called the night economy , contributing significantly to increasing revenue, promoting economic development, especially tourism and service economy in many localities.

Besides the already evident benefits, experts and managers believe that more specific solutions are needed to continue developing truly unique and beneficial products and services in the night-time economy, promoting tourism development and contributing to socio-economic development.

Affirming the advantages of development

In many localities, especially urban areas with strong tourism and service development, nighttime economic models and activities have clearly demonstrated their special appeal.

Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant tourist destination in Vietnam. In recent years, many streets have become popular destinations for locals and tourists alike, offering food , shopping at night, cultural and artistic performances, and strolling. These include Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, Nguyen Van Binh book street, Ben Thanh Market, Ho Thi Ky Market, Bui Vien Street, Vinh Khanh food street, shopping malls, and health and beauty service establishments.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the city offers many tourism products and experiences, including sightseeing, cultural exploration, art performances, and culinary delights at night, which have been well-received by tourists.

The tours are designed with many experiential activities, exploring the city at night, passing through many neighborhoods that still bear the strong imprint of urban culture and architecture such as Saigon, Tan Dinh, Ben Thanh, Cau Ong Lanh, or the romantic coastal areas and streets in Vung Tau ward, Tam Thang ward, and Rach Dua ward.

Bui Vien Street, also known as the "Western Street," is a popular tourist destination for international visitors and a highlight of Ho Chi Minh City's nighttime economic activity. (Photo: Hong Dat/VNA)

Regarding nighttime tourism products in Ho Chi Minh City, many opinions affirm that the city has one of the most dynamic economies, is a key tourism center of the country, has a pleasant climate year-round, developed infrastructure, and a diverse range of products and services. The vibrant nightlife and the beauty of the city's waterways are the main attractions for both domestic and international tourists.

According to Master's degree holder Nguyen Hoang Long (Nguyen Tat Thanh University), night tourism in Ho Chi Minh City is developing and becoming an attractive tourism product in Vietnam.

Some of the strengths of nighttime tourism products in this city include Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, Ben Thanh market, Bui Vien street, and parks and stadiums.

A variety of entertainment and events are held in the evening, including festivals, music shows, lion dances, theatrical performances, cultural events, and sporting events.

Ho Chi Minh City's nightlife tourism products attract many domestic and international tourists, especially young travelers who love unique and novel experiences. This is one of the reasons why the city consistently maintains its reputation as one of the most vibrant tourist destinations, with a prominent name on the domestic and international tourism map.

Another locality in the Mekong Delta that has recently begun to develop some evening destinations that attract tourists is Dong Thap province.

Tourist Nguyen Hong Mai from Hiep Binh ward (Ho Chi Minh City) shared that previously, tourists staying overnight in Dong Thap found it difficult to find evening activities, but now things are different.

My Tho's signature noodle soup. (Photo: Hong Dat/VNA)

With the merger of the former Dong Thap and Tien Giang provinces into Dong Thap province, visitors can stroll through the streets in the evening, visit some night markets, especially on weekends, and enjoy local specialties such as My Tho noodle soup in My Tho ward, Sa Giang noodle soup and puffed rice cakes in Sa Dec and Cao Lan wards, and traditional cakes at the markets... Although not yet diverse, visitors can find unique features when visiting Dong Thap.

Specific solutions are needed.

With the socio-economic development strategy in the new context, many localities have been merged to create new development spaces. Certainly, each locality with strengths in tourism and services will have new strategies for developing the tourism and service economy, including appropriate solutions for building and effectively exploiting night-time tourism and service products.

Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son (Permanent Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education) analyzed numerous studies that have confirmed that tourists spend most of their time at night, and night-time tourism products always have their own unique appeal.

Under the shimmering, mystical light, historical sites tell stories more vividly with the support of modern technology, and cultural activities become more vibrant, attractive, and appealing to tourists. This is a potential that many localities need to utilize and develop.

Tourists experience the nighttime culinary scene on a high-rise building on Nguyen Hue Walking Street. (Photo: Hong Dat/VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, now playing the role of creating a new megacity in the Southeast region, is maximizing its natural, geographical, and infrastructure advantages. Tourism and services are among the key economic sectors that are receiving significant investment and development.

According to Master's degree holder Nguyen Hoang Long (Nguyen Tat Thanh University), many challenges still need to be addressed to develop more effective night-time tourism products in Ho Chi Minh City.

The quality of some services and entertainment activities does not meet the needs and expectations of tourists, especially international tourists. High population density and traffic congestion occur in some areas, particularly during peak hours. This can make it difficult for tourists to travel from one destination to another in a short time, affecting their travel plans.

Therefore, the first solution to developing nighttime tourism products in the city is to strengthen nighttime urban management. Along with that, the city government needs to increase investment in infrastructure, renovate and upgrade streetlights, improve roads, and build more public facilities such as parks, lakes, and entertainment areas.

Developing diverse and unique nighttime tourism products requires creativity and investment, such as activities like sunrise tours, nighttime shopping, and street art performances.

According to the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, promoting the night-time economy and creating more attractive experiential activities is one of the directions for the city's tourism development.

In order to diversify tourism products, the city is studying the possibility of piloting nighttime openings for some museums, and may also combine this with traditional art performances, fashion shows, and other programs.

Luxury cruise ships offer dining, entertainment, and take tourists to explore Saigon at night. (Photo: Hong Dat/VNA)

In addition, waterway tourism routes continue to receive investment and development, offering nighttime experiences and services to attract tourists.

Dr. Nguyen Quoc Nghi (Can Tho University) assessed that the potential and market for products and services related to Can Tho's night-time economy still have much room for development. He emphasized the need to focus on promoting the depth of cultural knowledge in the development of night-time services, suggesting the development of the night-time economy in Can Tho City - the central urban area of the Mekong Delta, a convergence of diverse and vibrant cultures.

The city should continue to develop a night-time economic development model that suits its local advantages and practical conditions, meeting the needs of its key tourist market.

The city has identified priority areas and streets for developing the night-time economy, linked to its tourism infrastructure strengths, and has determined distinctive products and services. Relevant authorities need to attract and select experienced businesses and organizations to participate in developing night-time tourism products and services; at the same time, policies should prioritize the development of traditional cultural and artistic programs and activities to enhance the visitor experience in Can Tho.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-can-nhung-giai-phap-dac-thu-de-kinh-te-dem-them-toa-sang-post1048494.vnp