A project to turn a major flower market in Ho Chi Minh City into a hub of floral shops and restaurants has entered its final stage, with some finished construction works now giving members of the public a hint on how the venue may look after the revamp.

Spanning along the namesake street and some of its alleys in District 10, Ho Thi Ky is considered the city’s largest flower market, housing both floral retailers and wholesalers.

Established in the 1980s, the venue has for long been a go-to market for flowers for many residents and tourists.

The place supplies a wide variety of flowers not only to most florists in the city, but also to provinces and rural areas in southern Vietnam. The market is also known for a number of tasty food stalls hidden in the alleys.

A man is pictured in front of a mural at Ho Thi Ky flower market in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tu Trung / Tuoi Tre

In late September, the District 10 administration decided to turn the venue into a flower and food complex. More than three months on, the administration of the district’s Ward 1 said on Thursday the revamp is near completion and will soon open to the public.

The renovation, funded by the private sector, made several changes to the area in terms of infrastructure and environment-protecting practices.

A painter completes a mural at Ho Thi Ky flower market in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tu Trung / Tuoi Tre

Entering Ho Thi Ky Street, one can see a gate with boards introducing the area and a map showing that the flower market is divided into seven different sections. Another board is placed at the gate, providing introduction for the 45 florists located there.

Six LED lights were installed on the wall of Ho Thi Ky Elementary School right at the entrance of the market to make the place more attractive to tourists and customers.

Other infrastructural changes include replacing old patio awnings with new ones for the stores located on the main road of the market area.

Shop owners have also been informed of new regulations on trash collection and treatment to keep the new venue clean.

“We will also encourage the businesses to start supplying uniform for their employees, advertise their products on Facebook and not to overcharge customers,” said Ward 1 chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hong Duc.

A family is pictured in front of a mural at Ho Thi Ky flower market in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tu Trung / Tuoi Tre

As Ho Thi Ky will also be a food street, Ward 1 administrators also had training sessions for sellers on food safety and inspected eateries on the street over the issue. “Attendants at eateries and restaurants will also have to undergo regular health checks,” Duc said.

The chairwoman added that an exhibiting room was erected at the ward’s cultural center, introducing the flowers available at Ho Thi Ky Market.

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