Ho Chi Minh City ward to launch new night street next week

According to the Binh Tay Ward People’s Committee, the night street project is expected to become a new highlight that elevates the image of Binh Tay Market and offers a cultural gathering space in the heart of the historic Cho Lon, where there is a large Chinese-Vietnamese community.

Tran Duc Tho, vice-chairman of the Binh Tay Ward administration, said the city has approved the project in principle.

The night street will begin trial operations on December 1 and officially open on January 1, 2026.

Covering an area of 1,510 square meters, the night street will feature food trucks and carts arranged across designated functional zones.

Daily operating hours will last from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am.

Ward officials expect the year-end launch, coinciding with festive activities, to boost local tourism while turning the Cho Lon Night Street into a space for cultural exchange, commerce, entertainment, and culinary exploration, all centered around Binh Tay Market, a well-known architectural heritage site and city landmark.

The night street will also incorporate Cho Lon’s rich cultural and social values to diversify tourism offerings.

The designated space spans the sidewalks of four streets surrounding Binh Tay Market, namely Nguyen Huu Than, Thap Muoi, Le Tan Ke, and Tran Binh.

Le Tan Ke and Tran Binh Streets will primarily be used for motorbike parking to support night street activities.

On Nguyen Huu Than and Thap Muoi Streets, the eight-meter-wide sidewalks will be divided into functional strips: 1.5m near residential homes for self-managed parking, 1.5m for pedestrian movement, 3.5m for street stalls, and 1.5m along the curb for customer access.

Nguyen Quoc Duong, chairman of the Binh Tay Ward administration, said Binh Tay Market is already a major tourist attraction, so concentrated promotional activities are needed to enhance its presence.

“The night street will help promote the entire area and the market itself while creating a signature feature for the newly established ward. Its activities will support local tourism and help small merchants earn a stable income,” he said.

The ward plans a series of follow-up events to gradually transform Binh Tay Market from a traditional market into a more modern, visitor-friendly destination, addressing the shortcomings of previous night market models in the area.

The first Southern Vietnam Folk Food and Cake Week will be held from December 4 to 10, featuring 40 stalls including 30 food stalls and 10 traditional cake booths.