HỘI AN — The ancient city of Hội An has allocated some sections of four streets – Trần Quý Cáp, Bạch Đằng, Tiểu La and Hoàng Văn Thu – near Hội An market as a space for the third night market to serve tourists looking for shopping opportunities in the city.

Vice chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Sơn said the night market with 56 pavilions will open daily from 6pm to 11pm.

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 Nguyễn Hoàng Street and cuisine corner along Công Nữ Ngọc Hoa street on the Hoài River bank.

Hội An, a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site, also allocated new pedestrian areas on streets of Trần Phú, Nguyễn Huệ (in front of Hội An market), Phan Châu Trinh, Công Nữ Ngọc Hoa and the Hoài 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 Hội An market and outside of the old quarter, are still quiet.

Hội 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 9am to 11am in the morning and from 3pm till 9.30pm in the rainy season or 10pm in summer. Motorbikes or engine vehicles are allowed access for four hours per day and at night time only.

In 2015, Hội An, a UNESCO heritage site, designated Nguyễn Phúc 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.

Hội An was the first city in Việt Nam 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 Hội An.

Hội 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 Quảng Nam province, the ancient town has many temples, pagodas and old houses. Hội An was a leading trading port in Southeast Asia in the 17th and 18th centuries. — VNS