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)HCM City (VNA) - HCM City plans to open specialstreet-food areas in District 1 as part of a pilot programme to move vendors todesignated pavements, among other plans to improve the livability of the city.
Tren Vinh Tuyen, Vice Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee,spoke about the new programme during meetings with districts and authoritiesthis week.
In a meeting with District 1 authorities, Tuyen said that hesupported the district’s pilot programme to allow vendors on Nguyen Van ChiemStreet and along Bach Tung Diep Park, but not on Chu Manh Trinh Street.
District 1 authorities said they would arrange three locations fordisadvantaged vendors to sell their goods during a fixed time at each location.
In the first six months of the programme, District 1 wants to setup 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 pilotprogramme.
Tuyen said that Chu Manh Trinh Street’s pavements were too narrowand should only accommodate vendors who sell takeaway goods.
He said that disadvantaged vendors should be helped so they canhave a basic standard of living.
At the meeting, Chairman of District 1’s People’s Committee TranThe Thuan asked the city’s People’s Committee to consider opening a weekendflea market at Bach Dang Wharf Park downtown.
The flea market would open from 10am to 10pm every Saturday andSunday. It would have 120 booths on a 3,200 sq.m area covering four areasfeaturing culture and art, introducing Vietnamese products, cuisine andentertainment.
“The businesses who participate in the market must have clearorigins on products and follow food safety regulations,” Thuan said, addingthat the district wants to launch the market in the next quarter.
Tran Quang Lam, Deputy Director of the city’s Department ofTransport, agreed with the plan to open the weekend market, but said he wasafraid of traffic congestion during peak hours in the area.
Tuyen said the idea was good, but that it was only temporary asthe city plans to build an underground space for entertainment activities underNguyen Hue Pedestrian Street to Bach Dang Wharf Park.
Among other plans to enhance the livability, District 1 plans tomake Bui Vien Street in the budget hotel area popular with foreigners apedestrian street on Saturdays and Sundays. Traffic would be prohibited from7pm to 2am.
Vendors will be able to sell goods on pavements, and the streetwill host entertainment activities. Security cameras will be set up and patrolforces will ensure public order.
At a separate meeting on the same day, District 10’s People’sCommittee discussed moving vendors from stalls on pavements to traditionalmarkets.
Bui Thi Nga, head of the district’s economy division, said that 86empty 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 helpensure traffic safety in the area.
The district’s economy division has asked the People’s Committeeto approve the opening of a flea market at Le Thi Rieng Park for vendorsselling food and agricultural products from 6am to 11:30am every Saturday.
Tuyen, at another meeting, spoke with Tran Hoang Quan, Chairman ofDistrict 4’s People’s Committee, about the location of vendors on pavements.
Quan said the district would move 150 vendors to an empty areacovering 2,000sq.m on Vinh Khanh Street. About 110 vendors have registered totake part thus far.
District 4 has asked city authorities for approval to hold a fleamarket every Saturday and Sunday at Street No. 48, which has largepavements.-VNA
VNA
