The night economy "problem"

The representative of District 1 People's Committee said that the district has developed a project to develop the night economy with the orientation of integrating the development of ecological night cities; to meet the diverse needs of tourists, open up business opportunities for enterprises, create jobs for workers, increase revenue for the budget, and stimulate tourism. However, the solutions to achieve these goals are not really clear. The district proposed a number of issues such as with the routes used for the goal of developing the night economy, the city needs to allow free parking on the road; propose the city to allow short-term exploitation of some prime vacant State land to build parking lots, food courts, etc.

A representative of the Department of Tourism said that District 1 is the leading source of revenue for Ho Chi Minh City, of which tourism contributes greatly. To develop the night economy, the authorities need to coordinate to solve a number of issues. For example, the night economy is oriented towards rivers and inland waterways. Many businesses want to exploit it, so the Department of Transport and Public Works needs to coordinate and guide, increase connections between river bus routes and electric cars. The police force needs to strengthen coordination to ensure security and order. Some museums and relics need to open at night...

At the meeting, the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee frankly pointed out some contents related to the project that need to be thought through more deeply. The city's leaders believe that the night economy in District 1 needs a modern business model and method, not just "pulling tables for drinking on the sidewalk", "drinking beer on the sidewalk of District 1 is unacceptable, it makes the city look bad, that is not the night economy". The location of District 1 is very special. Tourists coming to Ho Chi Minh City mainly go to District 1 and use all services from eating, staying, to sightseeing here. Therefore, if District 1 is sloppy, it will affect the city's appearance.

The city's leaders suggested that when making the project, we must abandon the idea that the night economy is eating and drinking on the streets and sidewalks. The night economy must be modern, create a cultural space, and express the city's identity. In the model, there is eating and drinking, but the way it is done must be intelligent, avoiding spontaneity and conventionality. Therefore, when making the night economy project, it is necessary to invite cultural and economic experts, businesses, departments, and sectors to participate in the construction from the beginning to jointly remove obstacles and build a model that bears the mark of Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Vietnam in general.

That is a view supported by many people. In fact, in recent times, although some localities have experimented with night economy, walking streets, food streets, etc., the results have not been as expected. If the "night economy" is just eating and drinking at night, not only will it be messy and chaotic, but the revenue will not be large and the beneficiaries will not be many. In order for the night economy to be both effective and spread spiritual and cultural values, it is necessary to make a project in a systematic way, set out criteria and targets, target which customers, have what regulations, call for investors to participate, call for organizations and individuals in the area to respond and contribute ideas, etc. Only then can the night economy truly develop.

Huynh Ngoc Hieu