Da Nang: Street vendors surround tourist night market, making tourists frustrated

Many tourists reported that the security and order situation around Son Tra night market is unstable, with many street vendors and spontaneous traders encroaching on sidewalks and roads, "surrounding" tourists visiting the market.

Son Tra Night Market is one of the prominent night economic activities in Da Nang city, attracting tens of thousands of tourists every night to shop, have fun, and eat.

However, since August 1, after moving to a new location on the east bank of Dragon Bridge, many tourists have reported that the security and order situation around Son Tra night market is unstable, with many street vendors and spontaneous traders encroaching on sidewalks and roads, "surrounding" tourists visiting the market.

Tourists are bored

In mid-August, a group of VNA reporters recorded the reality at Son Tra night market area (road leading to Dragon Bridge, An Hai Ward, Da Nang City). As soon as vehicles got off Dragon Bridge to turn into the market, there were 4-5 people standing on the street inviting them to park their motorbikes.

These people arbitrarily use the sidewalk of Vo Van Kiet street to park their vehicles, blocking the pedestrians' path. When parking their vehicles, tourists are given a handwritten piece of paper without the name of the unit, no listed price, but are charged 10,000 VND/motorbike.

At the other gate of Son Tra night market, on Tran Hung Dao street, there are also many people standing on the street offering parking for 10,000 VND/motorbike and 50,000 VND/car, occupying the sidewalk and street.

From 5:30 pm every day, the road area in front of Son Tra night market gate has a sign prohibiting vehicles from circulating and is fenced off to make a walking path for tourists to visit the market.

Shops illegally encroach on the front of the market, taking customers from legal traders inside the market. (Photo: Quoc Dung/VNA)

However, according to VNA reporters, every night there are dozens of motorbikes selling goods (mainly fruits and souvenirs) brazenly entering the restricted road to do business, parking their vehicles on the road to invite tourists without being reminded by the authorities.

In addition, many spontaneous drink and snack shops have sprung up outside the market's kiosks, openly encroaching on sidewalks and roads to do business, blocking tourists' way to solicit.

Right under the entrance gate of Son Tra night market, there are 2 sugarcane juice shops "blocking" the entrance, placing tables and chairs, occupying more than half of the market entrance, blocking the way for tourists. These street vendors and spontaneous shops also throw plastic waste, fruit peels, and leftover food haphazardly on the sidewalk and road, causing unsanitary conditions and foul odors, making many tourists feel discouraged.

“The market is supposed to sell products at cheap prices, but there are many shops selling expensive and not very tasty food. The motorbike parking fee is 10,000 VND, but when I asked why it was so expensive, it was reduced to 5,000 VND, I felt like I was cheated,” said Kim Chang-beom, a tourist from South Korea.

Jonathan Sorensen, a tourist from Denmark, also had an unpleasant experience at Son Tra night market because he was constantly followed by vendors asking him to buy things. He believes that tourists who do not want to be bothered should not come to this place.

Tourist Duc Tri from Ho Chi Minh City also reported the situation of street vendors, tables and chairs encroaching on the road, while the prices are not cheap, a coconut costs 40,000 VND, a glass of sugarcane juice costs 20,000 VND.

Maintain the image of a "livable city"

The fact that street vendors and people illegally encroach and do business in front of Son Tra night market has made the market's traders angry.

A vendor (who asked to remain anonymous) said that the vendors had paid rent for the kiosks and invested hundreds of millions to operate and trade in accordance with regulations. However, the streets and sidewalks were illegally encroached upon by people for rampant trading, negatively affecting the overall appearance of the market.

When the traders complained to the market security, they were told that the street and sidewalks outside were managed by the local government. Therefore, the traders requested that the management level quickly eliminate the situation of street vendors and spontaneous encroachment to ensure the safety of tourists and security and order in the area.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Quyen, a tour guide from Gia Lai province, said he often leads tourist groups to visit Son Tra night market.

Mr. Quyen commented that the market is located in a prime location, where you can see the Dragon Bridge spraying water and fire, so it attracts a large number of tourists to visit. In the market, the kiosks sell goods at listed prices, ensuring hygiene, and dividing the functional areas reasonably. However, the security situation outside the market is not guaranteed, making many tourists not want to return. The Da Nang city government needs to quickly eliminate spontaneous trading outside the Son Tra night market to preserve the image of a civilized, polite tourist city of international stature.

Street vendors arbitrarily encroach on sidewalks and roads without being subject to quality or price management. (Photo: Quoc Dung/VNA)

To find out information on how to handle the situation of encroachment on sidewalks and roads for business and trading around Son Tra night market, on August 20, VNA reporters met Mr. Hoang Cong Thanh, Chairman of the People's Committee of An Hai Ward (Da Nang City). However, Mr. Hoang Cong Thanh refused to answer, saying he was busy in a meeting.

Previously, on July 25, the People's Committee of Da Nang City issued Official Dispatch No. 520/UBND-SVHTTDL requesting relevant agencies, units, and localities to strengthen management, ensure security and order, and handle the situation of street vendors, stalking, and soliciting tourists to preserve and promote a civilized, friendly, and safe tourism environment in the city.

Chairmen of People's Committees of wards, communes and special zones shall pay attention to directing and be responsible to the leaders of the City People's Committee for handling the above situation.

VNA reporters will continue to inform on this issue./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/da-nang-hang-rong-bao-vay-cho-dem-du-lich-khien-du-khach-ngao-ngan-post1057258.vnp