Phan Xich Long Food Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, which was officially opened on Friday last week, is expected to be reminiscent of Hong Kong, but it needs to make breakthroughs to attract more visitors, according to local residents and traders.

Phan Xich Long Food Street covers the section from Phan Xich Long Street leading to the Rach Mieu residential area and all branch roads in Wards 1, 2, and 7 of Phu Nhuan District, news site VnExpress reported.

Following the opening, activities on the street have remained normal.

Nguyen Van Binh, the owner of an eatery on Phan Xich Long Street, said he saw the potential of the street, so he spent a large amount leasing a space there.

He expected the street to change significantly.

“While the initiative for the food street is commendable, merely repaving sidewalks, displaying flower pots, and hanging new signboards fall short of addressing the essential aspects," Binh said.

"It is crucial to implement effective mechanisms and policies regarding sidewalk and space utilization to ensure a more comprehensive and sustainable improvement."

He added that with good, systematic plans, Phan Xich Long Street will be a ‘culinary kingdom’ of Ho Chi Minh City and even a popular destination for local and foreign tourists in the future.

Many traders expressed the sentiment that Phan Xich Long Street resembles other streets in the southern metropolis, as it features large brands already present in various areas.

However, the smaller eateries on the street are perceived as lacking thoughtful planning and specialization in their respective types of cuisine or signature dishes.

The primary advantage of the street lies in its central location, characterized by a generously proportioned main street and perpendicular branch roads that effectively divide the space into cohesive squares.

Both traders and eaters highly evaluated the food street initiative but hoped the street would have more activities and services in the future.

Miniatures, lighting systems, and artistic programs should be added to attract customers.

Nguyen Thi Hang, a 25-year-old resident near Phan Xich Long Street, shared her familiarity with the eateries in the area.

She expressed joy at the transformation of the street into a food hub.

While noting limited observable changes, Hang expressed hope for enhanced professionalism, a reduction in street vendors and lottery ticket sellers, and an increase in well-known food and beverage brands on the street.

Many other visitors were excited about a new welcome gate, a LED light system, and Tet-themed miniatures on the street.

Duc Long, visiting from Hanoi, said the street was beautiful and bustling but there was nothing new following the food street inauguration.

He wished local authorities had called on restaurants to concurrently launch promotion programs in response to the opening of the food street. 

New and audacious ideas are necessary to make the street well known in not only Vietnam but also other countries, like food streets in Thailand, Long noted.

From the view of a trader, Le Hoang Viet, the manager of Nnice karaoke chain, said he was happy as Phan Xich Long Street became a food street.

The street was repaved and traders were allowed to make use of the sidewalk for vehicle parking services.

Meanwhile, some others are not fully satisfied with the street.

Doan Ba Thu, the owner of Dona Restaurant in Phu Nhuan District, said the street has no breakthroughs.

The city should facilitate large restaurants to improve their space to attract customers to not only enjoy food but also take photos.

The local administration should also supplement lighting systems as many areas on the street remain dark, Thu suggested.

Many traders said they were weighing leasing spaces to launch small stalls which will operate at night only.

Some restaurants and eateries have launched promotion programs. 

In particular, Le Quang Khoi, the owner of Tai Map Restaurant, which was opened two weeks ago, said the restaurant offered a 10-percent discount and a dish at no charge for customers.

“Although the number of visitors to the street has not been as high as expected, [I] expect that after the food street was officially opened, it will become more popular and business activities will be busier,” Khoi shared. 

Traders on the street said they would support and accompany the city to organize music programs, food fairs, and other artistic activities to promote the food street and lure more customers, making it a new symbol in the city center.

Phan Xich Long Street has been known as a paradise of cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City with traditional Vietnamese and global dishes.

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