With few visitors, locals hope for the removal of restrictions on the Dong Hoi pedestrian street.

The street is gloomy, the shop is empty.

The pedestrian street in Dong Hoi City was inaugurated in April 2021, spanning two parallel streets: Phan Boi Chau (Dong Hai Ward) and Dong Hai Street (Hai Thanh Ward), with the Phong Thuy canal running in between.

The pedestrian street in Dong Hoi City was created with high expectations.

Pedestrian street deserted in the middle of tourist season: Shops and stalls 'crying' waiting for customers.

Expecting the pedestrian street to become a new nighttime product in the form of "slow tourism," Dong Hoi City has invested heavily in this area. Specifically, they have completed the sidewalk system on two streets; decorated the lighting system on the pedestrian bridge; renovated the flower gardens, trees, and lighting on both banks; and arranged six parking areas around the area with a total area of ​​1,570 ^m² ...

The city also implemented traffic management measures, establishing plans at 26 checkpoints located within neighborhoods, manned by neighborhood security forces from the two relevant wards. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 6 PM to midnight, the pedestrian street is illuminated to serve tourists.

When it first opened, the pedestrian street attracted a large number of tourists who came to shop, eat, and participate in cultural and artistic activities, folk games, etc. However, the crowds gradually faded away, and now there are very few visitors, even during peak tourist season. To find out why, Thanh Nien newspaper directly asked tourists who have visited the street for their opinions.

Even during peak tourist season, the pedestrian street was almost deserted.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, a tourist from Hue , commented on her first visit to Dong Hoi pedestrian street: "Pedestrian streets in other places have two characteristics: firstly, they are densely packed with restaurants and bars, playing cheerful music, with staff spilling out onto the sidewalks to attract customers. Secondly, they feature variety shows and street art performances. But here, neither of those things is present; I only see a few scattered eateries and drink stalls."

Ms. Hoa's feelings are probably similar to those of many who have been here before. The pedestrian street is depressing, so they don't come anymore.

Business is slow for the households.

According to Thanh Nien newspaper, despite being a pedestrian street, many cars and motorbikes are still parked haphazardly along the road. Many houses along the street are closed and lights are off because the owners are not running any businesses, but simply living there.

A resident living on Phan Boi Chau street even jokingly remarked that the street is… quarantined every weekend. "It would be better if it were crowded, but it's so deserted. Meanwhile, it's very difficult for us to get in and out of the area when they set up checkpoints and ban vehicles. The only benefit I see is that the kids in the neighborhood can play outside without worrying," the resident said sadly.

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Change or "unleash" the pedestrian zone.

The deserted streets have also caused businesses along Dong Hai and Phan Boi Chau streets to plummet. Nguyen Duy Khanh, the owner of a porridge and noodle soup stall on Dong Hai street, said that before the pedestrian street was built, he earned 10, but now he only earns 3. "We've lost three weekend nights already. They blocked the road to make it a pedestrian street, so customers aren't coming in here to eat anymore," Khanh said.

Therefore, according to Mr. Khanh, if the authorities want to maintain the pedestrian street, they need to change it to make it more suitable and attractive to tourists. Otherwise, they should "unleash" the pedestrian street and return it to being a purely culinary street serving tourism.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Khanh, the owner of a porridge and noodle soup stall on Dong Hai Street, said that before the pedestrian street was built, he earned 10, but now he only earns 3.

Speaking to Thanh Nien newspaper, Mr. Pham Ngoc Thang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Thanh Ward, acknowledged that the ward and city leaders have listened to and shared the difficulties faced by the people. The city is making great efforts to develop this pedestrian street to boost the night-time economy. The city and province are also continuing to research and invest to make the pedestrian street more impressive. During the development process, there are new things, and at times, the people have not yet adapted.

According to Mr. Thang, in order to develop pedestrian streets, besides government investment, the people themselves must also change. Tourists coming to Dong Hoi City need places to spend their money, especially at night. If people invest and open legal businesses that are suitable for the pedestrian street model, they will be able to attract tourists' money. If they only run ordinary businesses like selling sugarcane juice or small food stalls, it will be very difficult.

Entrance to the pedestrian street

Mr. Dang Dong Ha, Deputy Director of the Quang Binh Provincial Department of Tourism, shared that pedestrian streets linked to the development of the night-time economy are a common concern of the tourism industry, Dong Hoi City, and Quang Binh Province in diversifying night-time tourism products.

However, developing pedestrian streets faces difficulties in terms of planning and the cultural background of local people who are not yet familiar with this type of development… "Dong Hoi City is making many efforts to develop pedestrian streets, even sending people from the area to learn about and visit pedestrian streets in other places. But in reality, the space of Dong Hoi City's pedestrian streets is based on the old design, and cannot be expanded further; it is not wide enough to attract tourists; the goods sold by the locals are also not diverse enough, making it difficult to retain tourists," Mr. Ha said.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/vang-khach-nguoi-dan-mong-coi-troi-cho-pho-di-bo-dong-hoi-185230802080039867.htm