Ho Chi Minh City authorities are reviewing proposals to open more ‘food streets’ in its downtown district following the recent debut of the model.

Chairman of the People’s Committee in District 1 Nguyen The Thuan and leaders of administrations in Pham Ngu Lao, Ben Thanh, and Cau Ong Lanh Wards conducted an examination of several streets in the neighborhoods on Tuesday morning.

The trip was made to review several proposals to open ‘food streets’ in seven wards of the district, aimed at providing venues for local vendors and to contribute to ongoing sidewalk clearing efforts.

Local authorities are now mulling over the establishment of two new food corners featuring some 60 stalls along two sections of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.

The city’s first-ever food street was opened along Nguyen Van Chiem Street on August 28.

A total of 40 businesses take turns to operate in two shifts; between 6:00 am and 9:00 am in the morning, and 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in the afternoon.

The second food hub was introduced in Bach Tung Diep Park in early October, home to up to 30 catering businesses run by former street vendors, who also take turns to occupy the stalls in two shifts: from 6:00 am and 9:00 am, and from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Nguyen The Thuan (R), chairman of the People’s Committee in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, evaluates the situation on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street on November 21, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Following the Nguyen Van Chiem Street debut, some vendors have said that they had been able to sell more compared to when they were operating along local sidewalks.

However, some sellers were concerned that the number of buyers might decrease given the lack of diversity.

Critics say that the two shifts are too short, adding that the food streets should remain open in the evening to attract more customers.

Others claim that parking lots are necessary, while customers should also be able to eat their food on the side of the street, which is not currently an option on Nguyen Van Chiem Street.

According to chairman Thuan, the District 1 administration will consider adjusting the timetable of the food streets.

Specific measures will also be applied to prevent the operation of these food corners from becoming traffic congestion hazards, he added.

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