100 local businesses in HCM City’s District 1 have put up signs offering free restroom use to the public. — Photo laodong.vn

HCM CITY — HCM City's District 1 is going to build new public restrooms and request local enterprises to open their bathrooms to the public to alleviate the shortage in this busy downtown area.

The plan should be carried out incrementally with specific goals, in which District 1 needs to refurbish then reopen restrooms that have been out of order and put up new mobile ones, said Nguyễn Văn Nên, the city's Party chief.

Local businesses and organisations are also called on to let people use their restrooms for free.

Public restrooms should leave a good impression on locals and tourists, as well as be suitable for the handicapped, he stressed.

The city should also consider adding public restrooms to its urban development plans.

According to the district People’s Committee, it has only 18 public restrooms at markets, parks, a bus stop and a residential area, and there is not enough land to build additional public restrooms.

They suggested building mobile toilets in five areas where no projects are proposed. 

Recently, 100 cafés and restaurants in District 1 have offered free restrooms to the public.

There are currently more than 250 public restrooms in HCM City. — VNS