HCM CITY —  HCM 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 improve the liveability of the city.

Trần Vĩnh Tuyến, deputy chairman of the city’s People’s Committee, spoke about the new programme on Monday during meetings with districts and agency authorities.

In a meeting with District 1 auhorities, Tuyến said that he supported the district’s pilot programme to allow vendors on Nguyễn Văn Chiêm Street and along Bách Tùng Diệp Park, but not on Chu Mạnh 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.

In the first six months of the programme, District 1 wants to set up 20 booths on Nguyễn Văn Chiêm Street, 15 booths along Bách Tùng Diệp Park, and 35 booths on Chu Mạnh Trinh Street.

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

Tuyến said that Chu Mạnh 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.

Flea market

At the meeting, chairman of District 1’s People’s Committee, Trần Thế Thuận, asked the city’s People’s Committee to consider opening a weekend flea market at Bạch Đằng Wharf Park downtown.

The flea market would open from 10am to 10pm 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,” Thuận said, adding that the district wants to launch the market in the next quarter.

Trần Quang Lâm, 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.

Tuyến said the idea was good, but that it was only temporary as the city plans to build an underground space for entertainment activities under Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Street to Bạch Đằng Wharf Park.

Among other plans to enhance liveability, District 1 plans to make Bùi Viện Street in the budget hotel area popular with foreigners a pedestrian street on Saturdays and Sundays. Traffic would be prohibited from 7pm to 2am.

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. 

Bùi Thị Nga, head of the district’s economy division, said that 86 empty booths at four markets, Nguyễn Tri Phương, Nhật Tảo, Thành Thái and Hòa Hưng, could house family businesses now selling on the pavement. This would help ensure traffic safety in the area.

The district’s economy division has asked the People’s Committee to approve the opening of a flea market at Lê Thị Riêng Park for vendors selling food and agricultural products from 6am to 11:30am every Saturday.

Tuyến, at another meeting on Monday, spoke with Trần Hoàng Quân, chairman of District 4’s People’s Committee, about the location of vendors on pavements.

Quân said the district would move 150 vendors to an empty area covering 2,000sq.m on Vĩnh Khánh 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. — VNS