City leaders and experts stressed the necessity for a comprehensive strategy and innovative approaches to create world-class night markets and entertainment districts in Ho Chi Minh City during a recent meeting with the District 1 administration.

Nguyen Van Duoc, chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, called for a fresh, modern approach to the city’s night-time economy, emphasizing that it must go beyond informal street food stalls and reflect the unique cultural identity of the southern metropolis.

The city needs vibrant, cultural, and organized night-time activities--not just sidewalk dining and drinking, the official elaborated.

Pham Phuoc Vinh, founder of Product Forum, a Singapore and Thailand-based retail consultancy, suggested Ham Nghi Street in District 1 as a strong candidate for a flagship night market.

However, a lack of long-term planning and coordination has hindered efforts to realize such projects. 

“A successful night market needs the right location, vision, and cultural programming. Right now, the city lacks a strategic blueprint and a clear leadership structure to drive this forward,” Vinh said.

He added that night markets should showcase Vietnam’s heritage while offering entertainment, arts, and modern retail--staffed by well-trained vendors who understand hospitality and customer service.

A night-time food street in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Economist Nguyen Hoang Dung, chairman of Sustainable Development Services and Leader Training Co., Ltd., echoed the call for building a world-class night-time economy model in the city that would deserve emulation by other regions.

Dung highlighted the city's untapped potential for night-time economic activities. 

He attributed the current state of night markets to a lack of strategic planning, resulting in these night markets resembling traditional, small-scale markets.

“From 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, the city has an untapped window for growth,” he added.

He urged the city to develop a full-scale economic strategy, including zoning for night-time activities across various districts--not just food stalls in alleys. 

He also called for the creation of a dedicated task force, budget allocation, and clear accountability to execute a professional, international-standard night economy model.

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