The central coastal city of Da Nang will have two new night markets at both ends of Bach Dang Street along the bank of the Han River in late April, 2018.
A view of APEC Park. A new night market will be up and running at the park,
and another will be located on the area near the Han River’s cruise wharf
The markets will be open from 5:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. Vendors will have to return the areas to their original status after 2 a.m.
Speaking to the Daily, Phan Van Kha, director of the Da Nang Department of Industry and Trade, said Da Nang Party chief Truong Quang Nghia has given the green light to leisure projects on streets along the Han River.
“We will submit the scheme to the Da Nang People’s Committee for approval this week before calling for investment,” Kha said, adding that many businesses have shown their interest in night market projects in the city, especially on Bach Dang Street which is crowded with tourists.
The two night markets will mainly sell souvenirs instead of food to keep the areas clean, and vendors will have to clean up and return them to their original status in the morning.
According to Kha, one of the two markets will be located on the pavements of APEC Park which is close to the Cham Museum and Dragon Bridge, two of the city’s famous tourist destinations. The remainder will be set up near the cruise wharf.
“We expect that the two night markets will be up and running before the 2018 Da Nang International Firework Festival begins on April 29,” Kha said.
Many travel firms have thrown their support behind these night markets, expecting that the projects will not only lure more tourists to the city but also create jobs for locals.
Nguyen Thuy Thuan, director of the Danang Branch of BenThanh Tourist, said Da Nang lacks leisure services for tourists after 10 p.m. Once operational, the two night markets will contribute to developing Da Nang tourism.
Da Nang attracted more than 6.6 million visitors last year, up nearly 20% compared to 2016, with tourism revenue totaling over VND19.5 trillion (about US$856.5 million). The number of foreign arrivals rose 39% year-on-year to more than 2.3 million.
The city targets 7.5 million tourists this year, including three million from abroad. Tourism revenues are expected to increase more than 15% year-on-year to VND22.5 trillion.