Ho Chi Minh City plans to open special street-food areas in District 1 as part of a pilot programme to move vendors to designated pavements, among other plans to free up pavements in an aim to beautify the city and maintain security and order.

Tran Vinh Tuyen, Vice Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee, spoke about the new programme during meetings with districts and authorities this week.

In a meeting with District 1 authorities, Mr. Tuyen said that he supported the district’s pilot programme to allow vendors on Nguyen Van Chiem Street and along Bach Tung Diep Park, but not on Chu Manh Trinh Street.

District 1 authorities said they would arrange three locations for disadvantaged vendors to sell their goods during a fixed time at each location.

Vendors will sell their goods at designated pavement areas along Bach Tung Diep Park in HCM City’s District 1 under a new pilot programme. (Photo: VNA)

In the first six months of the programme, District 1 wants to set up 20 booths on Nguyen Van Chiem Street, 15 booths along Bach Tung Diep Park, and 35 booths on Chu Manh Trinh Street.

The vendors will not have to pay taxes or rent during the pilot programme.

Mr. Tuyen said that Chu Manh Trinh Street’s pavements were too narrow and should only accommodate vendors who sell takeaway goods.

He said that disadvantaged vendors should be helped so they can have a basic standard of living.

At the meeting, Chairman of District 1’s People’s Committee Tran The Thuan asked the city’s People’s Committee to consider opening a weekend flea market at Bach Dang Wharf Park downtown.

The flea market would open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. It would have 120 booths on a 3,200 sq.m area covering four areas featuring culture and art, introducing Vietnamese products, cuisine and entertainment.

“The businesses who participate in the market must have clear origins on products and follow food safety regulations,” Mr. Thuan said, adding that the district wants to launch the market in the next quarter.

Tran Quang Lam, Deputy Director of the city’s Department of Transport, agreed with the plan to open the weekend market, but said he was afraid of traffic congestion during peak hours in the area.

Mr. Tuyen said the idea was good, but that it was only temporary as the city plans to build an underground space for entertainment activities under Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street to Bach Dang Wharf Park.

Among other plans to enhance the livability, District 1 plans to make Bui Vien Street in the budget hotel area popular with foreigners a pedestrian street on Saturdays and Sundays. Traffic would be prohibited from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Vendors will be able to sell goods on pavements, and the street will host entertainment activities. Security cameras will be set up and patrol forces will ensure public order.

At a separate meeting on the same day, District 10’s People’s Committee discussed moving vendors from stalls on pavements to traditional markets.

Bui Thi Nga, Head of the district’s economy pision, said that 86 empty booths at four markets, Nguyen Tri Phuong, Nhat Tao, Thanh Thai and Hoa Hung, could house family businesses now selling on the pavement. This would help ensure traffic safety in the area.

The district’s economy pision has asked the People’s Committee to approve the opening of a flea market at Le Thi Rieng Park for vendors selling food and agricultural products from 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every Saturday.

Mr. Tuyen, at another meeting, spoke with Tran Hoang Quan, Chairman of District 4’s People’s Committee, about the location of vendors on pavements.

Mr. Quan said the district would move 150 vendors to an empty area covering 2,000sq.m on Vinh Khanh Street. About 110 vendors have registered to take part thus far.

District 4 has asked city authorities for approval to hold a flea market every Saturday and Sunday at Street No. 48, which has large pavements./.

VNF/VNA