While food is the hallmark of night economies in localities across Vietnam, cultural products related to art and entertainment could attract a wider range of visitors. 

At a recent meeting of the lawmaking National Assembly (NA), NA deputy Pham Van Hoa from Dong Thap Province shared that night-time economic models in localities are low quality and primarily consist of walking streets and food stalls. 

Cultural events in night-time economic zones, according to Hoa, are mainly limited to Saturday and Sunday.

Hoa urged Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung to create policies aimed at boosting night-time economies.

In response, Minister Hung said the ministry has already drawn up a plan to develop night-time tourism products by encouraging localities to introduce more art and entertainment products.

According to NA deputy Bui Hoai Son, Vietnam tourism has developed strongly in general but it’s night-time tourism is relatively weak due to a shortage of appealing models and products. The ripple effect of this is a negative impact on tax revenues and jobs for local laborers.

Night-time tourism also creates a new cultural space which allow tourists to better understand the country and help to promote traditional culture, art, and cuisine, Son said.   

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has launched an initiative aimed at encouraging localities to study and develop night-time tourism products to exploit their tourism potential and prolong visitors’ stays.

However, tourism product development should be based on planning and market demand, the official noted.

Regarding Hanoi's night-time tourism, Bui Thanh Tu, director of marketing at Vietnamese travel company Bestprice, said before 2023, the capital city’s night-time tourism had been isolated to the Dong Xuan night market.

Now, the city offers night tours to Hoa Lo Prison; Thang Long Imperial Citadel; and Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy). 

However, he suggested the city offer tourism products after 11:00 pm which last until early the next morning.

Tourists at a ‘bun cha’ (rice noodles with grilled pork and meatballs) eatery in Hanoi. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre

Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling nightlife

According to Tu, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s greatest appeals to tourism is its nightlife, with food streets, walking streets, and plenty of other options for visitors.

The city also recently announced the opening of the Sky Garden Trade and Culinary Street in Tan Phong Ward, District 7 on the upcoming National Day (September 2) holiday as part of its efforts to support the district’s night-time economic development.

Aside from the food street, the District 7 administration plans to open a 9,000-square-meter walking street meant to offer trade, catering, and cultural services near Ban Nguyet (Crescent) Lake and a similar area in Tan Thuan Tay Ward.

District 1 authorities are also focused on boosting night-time economic growth.

The district government has proposed initiatives designed to develop the local night-time economy by increasing its catering, cinema, sports, historical, cultural, and leisure offerings.

At a recent meeting on tourism development in the city, director of the municipal Tourism Department Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa said the department would review products and consider removing curfews for night-time tourism activities.

A night market in Tran Phu Bridge Park on Pham Van Dong Street in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south central Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

Khanh Hoa to focus on night-time economic development

Southern Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa Province has allowed night markets in Tran Phu Bridge Park and in the area between Hung Vuong and Tran Phu Streets near Tram Huong Tower in Nha Trang City to remain open until midnight.

Huynh Tan Hai, deputy director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that night markets in Nha Trang City were operating effectively and had attracted many visitors from South Korea, China, and several other countries. 

“In the future, we will open new night markets in the north and in other locations in the city,” Hai added.

The provincial administration had earlier approved a project to develop the night-time economy in the province until 2030.

In the first phase, from 2023 to 2025, the province will launch more entertainment services, develop pedestrian streets, food streets, and coastal bars and pubs.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!