A Transformation in Appearance

The model of the Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Street (pedestrian street) has been in operation for over a year, based on the "Nighttime Economic Development Project in Can Tho City (pilot project in Ninh Kieu district)" by the City People's Committee. This is Can Tho's first pedestrian street, creating a space for nighttime entertainment closely connected to tourism activities. The pedestrian street consists of three areas with diverse activities: shopping stalls, dining options, traditional activities, cultural and artistic events, festivals, street performances, folk games, magic shows, and more. Throughout the pedestrian street, there are musical instrument performances ranging from traditional to modern, folk dances, dancesport, and more. Mr. Doan Minh Truong from Hanoi stated, "I have been to Can Tho twice. The first time, there were no nighttime activities. This time, my friends and I strolled around the streets, enjoyed the nighttime river view, and relished street food."

The development of the Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Street has led to the establishment of nearby entertainment venues, gradually creating a diverse integrated entertainment space. Specifically, tourists can enjoy a buffet - Ganh Hang Rong at Victoria Can Tho or have beautiful river view dining experiences from a high vantage point at Mekong River Lounge & Restaurant on the 8th floor of TTC Can Tho Hotel. Mekong River Lounge & Restaurant has been operational since mid-August, offering both European and Asian cuisine. Here, tourists can savor Southern Vietnamese dishes, unique tea parties, or coffee with friends while admiring the city's beauty from above. Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Dung from Co Do, Can Tho, expressed, "As a Can Tho native, I often visit Ninh Kieu Quay, but this is the first time I've seen the city from above. The cityscape is mesmerizing, and the passing boats on the river create a romantic atmosphere. The restaurant's ambiance is pleasant, and the variety of dishes caters to all tastes." Ms. Pham Thi Thanh, the Director of TTC Can Tho Hotel, said, "Mekong River Lounge & Restaurant contributes to providing a local culinary experience for tourists in Can Tho, especially in the Ninh Kieu Quay area. Nighttime activities at Ninh Kieu Quay not only offer entertainment but also a diverse culinary space. In the near future, we will also introduce acoustic music nights on weekends to offer more experiences."

It can be said that Ninh Kieu Quay has become livelier since the pedestrian street became operational. Besides the river cruises, electric car tours around the city at night are also highly favored. Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuong Vy from Phong Dien District, Can Tho, mentioned, "Taking an electric car ride to explore the streets at night is very exciting. It allows me to see the city from different angles, and the electric car space enables comfortable conversations with friends." Meanwhile, tourist Hoang Thi Nha Han from Hai Phong said, "Taking an electric car saves time, and we can have a more comprehensive view of Can Tho at night. I like the food stalls at the night market, where we can savor various dishes. However, it seems that nighttime entertainment spots in Can Tho still lack the experiences I expected. I hope to see more nighttime entertainment options when I visit Can Tho next time." Currently, Can Tho has 21 electric cars serving tourists on city tour routes, but the number of these cars is still insufficient, especially on weekends. In 2022, electric car rides alone served more than 18,600 trips with over 130,500 passengers.

Focusing on Investing in Nighttime Economy Linked to Tourism

Tourists explore the city at night on electric cars.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has developed a project titled "Development of Night Tourism Products" (the Project), in which Can Tho is identified as one of the 12 provinces and cities focused on building models for the development of night tourism products. Specifically, by 2025, Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Hoi An (Quang Nam), Da Lat (Lam Dong), Can Tho, Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Ho Chi Minh City, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau will each have at least one model for the development of night tourism products, increasing the average length of stay for tourists in these areas to at least 1 night. By 2030, separate entertainment complexes for night activities will be established in major tourist centers such as Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thua Thien Hue, Hoi An (Quang Nam), Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Da Lat (Lam Dong), Can Tho, Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, creating a brand for Vietnam's night tourism products. The Project outlines five main models: cultural and artistic performances, sports and wellness activities, shopping and nighttime entertainment, nighttime tourism excursions, and the promotion of nighttime culinary culture and dining services. Additionally, the Project includes solutions for urban planning and management, policy mechanisms, human resources, service organization and management, investment, market orientation, promotion and information technology application.

In Can Tho, the Project for the Development of the Nighttime Economy in Can Tho City (piloted in Ninh Kieu District) is showing initial positive results. Can Tho has identified key directions for nighttime economic activities linked to tourism. These include various types of nighttime economic products, services, and activities in Can Tho, which can be grouped into the following categories: entertainment, culinary, shopping, tourism, culture, and nighttime sports.

Specifically, in the field of entertainment, there will be a diverse range of artistic performances to cater to tourists during the nighttime. This includes organizing music festivals, light festivals, fireworks festivals, fashion events, film festivals, and contemporary art events, often held at entertainment complexes, pedestrian streets, riverside areas, and lakeshores. There will also be book streets, flower streets, "Asian-European Cuisine" streets, and streets showcasing the cultures of the Kinh, Hoa, Khmer, and Cham ethnic groups. Additionally, conditions will be created for cinemas, circuses, nightclubs, bars, cafes, and karaoke services to operate and flourish.

Regarding culinary experiences, attractive dining spaces such as food streets, seafood markets, and riverside restaurants along the Hau and Can Tho rivers will be established. There will be culinary festivals, folk cake festivals of the Southern region, contests for Asian-European master chefs, and events that allow tourists to experience the culinary delights of the Mekong Delta region.

For shopping activities, efforts will be made to enhance the offerings of existing commercial centers and supermarkets (extending their operating hours, diversifying their product ranges, and improving service quality). Call for investments to build regional-scale shopping centers and night markets with local characteristics, centers for introducing OCOP (One Commune One Product) products from the Mekong Delta, and activities for tourists to experience and create handicrafts, traditional craftsmanship, and bamboo weaving… Nighttime tourism, cultural activities, and sports will include wellness centers offering services like massages, steam baths, and herbal baths. There will also be activities such as releasing sky lanterns, floating flower lanterns on the river, and watching the sunrise on the Hau River.

These nighttime economic products, services, and activities in Can Tho City can be integrated into common nighttime economic models successfully implemented in many areas today, such as pedestrian streets, night markets, comprehensive commercial entertainment areas, and connections to the domestic and international tourism route networks. The implementation plan is set to continue until 2024, with plans for scaling up these models in the following years.

In addition to the established Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Street, the Ninh Kieu District People's Committee is currently focusing on two models: developing the nighttime economy on the food-focused Đe Tham - Huynh Cuong - Ho Xang Thoi street (An Cu Ward) and developing the nighttime economy on Le Binh Street (Hung Loi Ward). The Can Tho City Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism is also calling for investment to improve infrastructure, products, and nighttime economic services while coordinating with relevant departments to review and propose additions to the nighttime economic development areas in Ninh Kieu, Cai Rang, and Binh Thuy Districts.