Many localities have not yet developed a policy framework to promote the night-time economy; models are still monotonous, lacking breakthroughs and highlights. This reality requires continuing to add breakthrough solutions with high feasibility to create attractive product "packages" to help promote the development of the night-time economy.
In recent years, night-time economic activities in Vietnam have been quite vibrant with models such as: walking spaces, night tourism, art performances or some types of overnight food and entertainment services and shopping activities. Night-time economic activities mainly take place in big cities, tourist centers such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Quang Nam... These activities contribute positively to local socio-economic development, attract tourists, and generate income for the supply chain and labor chain.
However, up to now, nearly four years have passed since the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1129/QD-TTg "Approving the Project on Nighttime Economic Development in Vietnam", this type of business in many localities, including those with tourism strengths, has not yet made the expected breakthrough. Some localities that are considered to be quick-witted have only issued a project to develop night tourism products in 2022, while most provinces such as Quang Ninh, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Tra Vinh... have issued a Project on Nighttime Economic Development since mid-2023. Even Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - where the nighttime economy is a "gold mine", are still in the process of... building a project.
Currently, the number of night-time economic models is quite large, but the way of operation is still monotonous. Typically, the current pedestrian spaces only stop at fencing off some streets, not allowing vehicles to enter to create spaces for performing arts, shopping or cuisine. This leads to a situation where many spaces operate similarly.
Another widely deployed model is the night experience at cultural spaces and heritage sites. However, this model tends to stagnate, even decline. Some models were born without careful calculation of implementation, resulting in inconsistent quality, for example, the experience tour at Thang Long Imperial Citadel (Hanoi).
Thang Long Imperial Citadel is valuable in both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. In the intangible part, visitors can enjoy the "royal dance", but in reality the so-called "royal dance" is theatrical and not based on research, or the emperor's costumes are adapted from the Tuong Cheo stage. According to many visitors, the "dramatization" has reduced the value of the heritage. Meanwhile, products that are invested in and elaborately staged, contributing to creating a cultural brand such as the Tinh Hoa Bac Bo live performance in Hanoi, Ky Uc Hoi An in Quang Nam... are still quite rare.
In the Project on developing the night-time economy in Vietnam issued by the Government, the issue of perfecting policies and preferential and encouraging policies is given priority, but to date, almost no province or city has a specific policy to attract investment and encourage the development of the night-time economy. In addition, there is still no independent night-time economic development area as required for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. The extension of operating hours for some types of services under the Project is only a "pilot" and has not been formalized.
In the development of the night-time economy, the biggest barrier today is policy. This type has its own characteristics, for example, workers in the night-time economic chain have to work in hours that are contrary to normal rules, so labor costs are often higher. The lack of preferential regulations, many regulations are still being piloted, making businesses very hesitant to invest systematically and in depth. Some localities themselves are clearly aware of this problem but are slow to resolve it, relying on the general policy of the Central Government. This shows the lack of initiative of localities.
Therefore, the Government, ministries and branches need to review legal regulations related to night-time economic development and the assignment and division of tasks of relevant agencies, on that basis, remove obstacles and overlaps; simplify business conditions at an appropriate level; urge localities with potential and strengths to promptly issue Projects and Plans for night-time economic development in the area. In particular, research, develop and issue policies to encourage night-time economic development, especially preferential policies on taxes and land use fees.
At the same time, it is necessary to study and supplement specific regulations and guidelines on night-time economic management. This is the issue that many localities are still confused about, especially when faced with the requirement to expand local activities. The Central Government also promotes decentralization and delegation of power to localities with strengths in tourism and night-time economy so that they can issue specific policies suitable to the local development situation.
The Government's project sets out the task of building separate night entertainment complexes in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang by 2025. But this is also a major "bottleneck". A typical example of this difficulty is in Hanoi. Currently, the city finds it very difficult to arrange suitable land funds to develop night-time economic development areas. If built near the center, localities will lack land funds, while suitable spaces will be separated from previously existing economic and cultural spaces. New night-time economic zones require large investments, while this is a new field with risks, so the issuance of incentive mechanisms and policies becomes urgent.
Night-time economy is a new field, so learning from models in other countries is a very important factor, especially countries with similar economic and cultural conditions to Vietnam. In Asia, many night-time economic models in Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Thailand, etc. have become "magnets" attracting domestic and international tourists. Typically, Korea is famous for hundreds of "never-sleeping" markets, although in 2013, the first night market was opened in Bupyeong, Busan city.
After the success of Bupyeong Night Market, the night market trend exploded everywhere in Korea. Surprisingly, Malaysia, despite being an Islamic country with many strict rules, has also achieved great success from the night economy. In the capital Kuala Lumpur alone, there are 130 night markets.
What is worth learning from night markets in Malaysia is the management model. The city government has established a separate force of about 100 people to carry out management and licensing work. Every person registering to do business at the night market must comply with the Standard Operating Procedures. If there is any complaint about the quality or sales attitude, the shop owners are often heavily fined. That ensures the rights and peace of mind of customers, especially foreign tourists.
Thailand is a tourist country and is very famous for its night-time economy, with various types of food and beverage services, bars, performing arts, etc. Notably, in recent years, this country has focused on integrating cultural and creative activities into other night-time economic models, especially night markets.
Among them, the Chang Chui complex (Bangkok capital) is a perfect combination of a night market and a creative space. Chang Chui also has many street food and fashion stalls. However, Chang Chui has taken the concept of a traditional Thai night market to a new level by arranging a food court, shopping area interwoven with art galleries, handicraft products and installations. Therefore, many units choose this place as a venue for mobile seminars and music events.
According to the Project on Some Models for Developing Night Tourism Products of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, models for developing night tourism products include: Cultural and artistic performances; sports, health care and beauty activities; night shopping and entertainment; night tourism and introducing culinary culture and night food services. Currently, major cities in Vietnam have hundreds of creative spaces, but most of them still stand alone, almost not integrated into night economic activities, creating mutual support with other economic activities.
From the experiences of countries in the region, we can supplement, refer to and build models that link night-time economic activities with creative spaces. Regarding the operating hours of some types of services participating in the night-time economy, it is necessary to summarize and aim for formalization instead of long-term piloting.
Currently, only 10 localities are allowed to extend the night-time operating hours to 6am, in which some provinces and cities only have one pilot area, such as Quang Nam with Hoi An, Kien Giang with Phu Quoc. In fact, it is necessary to soon add developed tourist localities such as Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Sam Son (Thanh Hoa), Ba Ria-Vung Tau... to this list to fully exploit their potential.
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