New night market opens in ancient city

Lanterns displayed at a night market in Hoi An.

Vice chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Nguyen Van Son said the night market with 56 pavilions will open daily from 6 p.m to 11 p.m.

He said the newly-launched night market will offer more shopping options for tourists at night, easing the crowding of tourists in the old quarters of the west side.

The city has previously launched two night markets – souvenir pavilions in Nguyen Hoang street and cuisine corner along Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa street on the Hoai River bank.

Hoi An, a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site, also allocated new pedestrian areas on streets of Trần Phú, Nguyễn Huệ (in front of Hoi An market), Phan Chau Trinh, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa and the Hoai River Square last year.

The vice chairman of the city said the pedestrian area in the old quarter is currently overloaded with tourists, which creates a burden on traffic, trading, shopping and tourism service, while streets in the city’s western region, near Hoi An market and outside of the old quarter, are still quiet.

Hoi An began its pedestrian project in 2002 to help create more space for tourists and ease busy traffic in the old quarters.

As scheduled, the expanded walking streets open from 9 a.m to 11 a.m in the morning and from 3 p.m till 9.30 p.m in the rainy season or 10 p.m in summer. Motorbikes or engine vehicles are allowed access for four hours per day and at night time only.

In 2015, Hoi An, a UNESCO heritage site, designated Nguyen Phuc Chu street a walking street where only pedestrians and non-engine vehicles are allowed.

The ancient city has made efforts to build a green and clean city based on sustainable development.

Hoi An was the first city in Vietnam to host a Car Free Day and the first location in the central province to launch the 3-Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) programme while promoting the use of reusable bags and the operation of a solar-powered lighting in the city’s square.

According to the city, it plans to promote bicycle use among public agencies, as well as boost bicycle use among local residents, with a goal of 100,000 local bicycles in use.

Most foreign tourists use bicycles while touring the city, beaches and villages during their visits to Hoi An.

Hoi An was chosen for the 2013 Townscape Award by the UN-Habitat Regional Office in Asia. It was also listed among the top 10 Asian cities in US magazine Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards in 2012.

Located in the central province of Quang Nam province, the ancient town has many temples, pagodas and old houses. Hoi An was a leading trading port in Southeast Asia in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Souvenirs are on sale at Nguyen Hoang night market on the Hoai River bank of Hoi An city.

Tourists walk peacefully in an old street in Hoi An city. More pedestrian streets were opened for tourists exploring the city at night.

Tourists walk through a stall at the new night market in Hoi An city, near the Hoi An market.