It’s time to restore true identity of Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh City: expert

It is time to restore Bui Vien to its rightful identity—a cultural and tourism hub that blends local character with a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere.

Bui Vien Walking Street was expected to be a place where local culture met international energy. 

However, the image of this once-beloved 'backpacker street' has deteriorated.

Today, Bui Vien is often chaotic, filled with noise that borders on auditory assault.

Loud bars, encroached sidewalks, and the hidden yet rampant sale of laughing gas have taken over the space.

While Hanoi's Ta Hien Street has successfully built a vibrant nightlife scene without overwhelming noise, Bui Vien has lost the balance between entertainment and cultural experience.

Once full of promise, now in decline

As a long-time tourism professional, Trinh Nguyen Hung Dung, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, was once proud to introduce Bui Vien to international friends.

But now, it has become a source of disappointment. 

Not only are respectful tourists avoiding the area, but even local residents no longer feel drawn to it.

Many quality businesses and restaurants have quietly withdrawn from the street.

When it was designated a walking street in 2017, Bui Vien was envisioned as Vietnam’s version of Khao San Road in Bangkok, Thailand—a lively space where travelers could enjoy local cuisine, music, street culture, and connect with people from around the world.

With its central location, historical value, and large international visitor base, Bui Vien had every opportunity to become a cultural icon of Ho Chi Minh City nightlife.

Instead of growing into a refined and culturally rich destination, Bui Vien devolved into a 'chaotic audio party' every evening.

Deafening bar music spills into the streets. Countless venues focus solely on selling cheap beer and offering low-quality entertainment, lacking distinctive characters.

This deterioration has not only driven away quality tourists but also created a nuisance for residents living nearby.

The time has come to confront this reality head-on. 

A serious and coordinated effort is needed from both local authorities and businesses operating in the area.

Bold reform needed

Authorities must restore social order by strictly regulating noise levels, reclaiming sidewalks, and cracking down on disguised sales of stimulants like laughing gas.

A clear set of standards should be established for all businesses on Bui Vien, requiring registration and approval based on healthy business models.

Business owners must also take responsibility for maintaining the street’s overall image. 

Short-term profit should not come at the expense of the neighborhood’s integrity.

The focus should shift toward professional service, high-quality food, moderate music, balanced lighting, and a safe environment suitable for all, including women and children.

To turn Bui Vien into a true cultural-tourism destination, the entire street needs to be repositioned. 

It should welcome reputable culinary brands and renowned chefs.

Bui Vien could offer authentic Vietnamese cuisine, such as bun bo Hue (Hue-style beef noodle soup), bun cha (rice noodle with grilled pork), pho (soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and beef or chicken), hu tieu (rice noodles), com tam (a rice dish whose main ingredient is broken rice), and banh mi (Vietnamese bread), in a clean and civilized environment.

The area should host regular street performances—acoustic sets, dancing, small circus acts, and the like—instead of blaring bar music.

Craft beer venues and locally styled cafés could enrich the visitor experience.

Integrating tourism to make Bui Vien the starting point for city tours or night food tours would also enhance its appeal. 

Digital integration for payments, reservations, and services could further improve convenience for travelers.

According to historical records, Bui Vien Street is named after a notable official from the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), who was sent by Emperor Tu Duc to the United States in the late 19th century to establish diplomatic relations. 

That historic journey marked an early step in Vietnam’s efforts to engage with the Western world.

Though only a little over one kilometer long, the street carries undeniable historical and symbolic value.

Bui Vien could become national brand

If developed properly, Bui Vien has the potential to become a national brand. 

It must not be allowed to remain associated with negative and chaotic imagery.

Instead, it should be preserved as a cultural asset and tourism icon that Ho Chi Minh City can proudly showcase.

Revitalizing Bui Vien will not happen overnight. But every small step, including controlling noise, eliminating laughing gas, or attracting high-quality culinary businesses, will help restore the true spirit of this street.

Let Bui Vien be a place people want to visit and return to. 

A street with such historical prestige deserves to shine with civility and charm once more.

With proper vision, Bui Vien can be more than just an entertainment zone. 

It can become a cultural and tourism brand of city-wide, even national, significance.

If Bangkok has Khao San Road and Singapore has Clarke Quay, why should not Bui Vien become Vietnam’s own refined cultural icon?

* This article was originally written in Vietnamese by Trinh Nguyen Hung Dung, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, and rewritten in English by Tuoi Tre News.