In April 2022, the Can Tho City People's Committee approved a night-time economy development plan. The plan was initially piloted in Ninh Kieu District, allowing an extended operating schedule from 6 PM to 6 AM the next day for street vendors on Phan Chu Trinh-Phan Boi Chau Street, Ninh Kieu Night Market, and the Can Tho Night Food Market along the Hau River. This model can be duplicated and developed in other parts of the city.
After nearly three years of operation, Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Street has become a community cultural venue and a popular tourist spot for locals and visitors. The street, stretching almost a kilometre along the Can Tho River, hosts cultural performances, music shows, and folk games every Saturday evening.
Ninh Kieu Night Market is a famous tourist destination in Can Tho, offering a variety of goods, including souvenirs with a distinct Mekong Delta identity.
At the end of 2024, the city organised the 7th Ninh Kieu Lantern Festival, attracting thousands of domestic and international tourists.
A bustling atmosphere can also be seen at night markets around Bung Xang Lake, Xang Thoi Lake, and Le Binh Food Market.
Although the night-time economy development plan has shown encouraging results, experts, tour operators, and tourists suggest that there is still much to be done to fully tap the city's potential for night-time economics.
Some tourists shared that souvenirs on sale at local food streets, entertainment areas, or night markets are somewhat similar to those in other regions and have not created deep impressions. The current food markets are more suitable for local dining rather than tourists’ tastes.
Nguyen Manh Ha, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, shared that the nightlife in Can Tho is not as vibrant as in many other places. The tourism, entertainment, and leisure activities do not offer much difference from other destinations in the region, thus they are not interesting enough to attract return visitors.
“A food street serving local specialties will certainly create a highlight,” he suggested.
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Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Street has become a community cultural venue and a popular tourist spot for locals and visitors. (Photo: laodong.vn) |
According to Tran Huu Hiep, Vice Chairman of the Mekong Delta Tourism Association, although the city's authorities, businesses, and people have made significant efforts in developing the nighttime economy, the process still faces several limitations.
He pointed out the lack of entertainment activities or traditional art performances that are imbued with regional identity.
Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Street lacks cultural highlights to attract tourists’ interest. The river cruise services on the Hau River do not offer diverse experiences, such as traditional art performances or unique culinary activities at night.
To promote the night-time economy more effectively, Can Tho needs to focus on building distinctive products and diversifying experiences, such as folk-art performances on river cruises, floating night markets in Cai Rang, light festivals, or culinary streets. These activities would not only extend the stay of tourists but also create a unique highlight for Can Tho.
The city needs to develop infrastructure and support policies for night-time businesses, while enhance urban lighting, security, and environmental sanitation.
Support should be provided to enterprises through tax mechanisms and preferential loans to encourage investment in night-time business models such as riverside restaurants, entertainment zones, and night shopping centres.
Greater attention should also be paid to promoting night-time economy through digital media, creating attractive experience programmes on international tourism platforms, and enhancing tourism personnel to provide the best experiences for tourists.
Hiep believes that with a systematic, strategic, and coordinated approach, Can Tho has great potential to become a vibrant night-time destination, thus enhancing its tourism competitiveness and increasing the value of experiences for tourists.
