Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
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Besides popular attractions like the Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace and Ban Thanh Market, the Nguyen Hue Walking Street downtown has helped lure more visitors in recent years.
Huynh Thanh Hai said the city’s People’s Committee should upgrade and renovate Ban Thanh Market and its night markets as it is not only a place to shop but also has historic value which attracts tourists.
“There is high demand for entertaining activities on walking streets. The city should connect Nguyen Hue Walking Street with Bach Dang Wharf Park and set up entertainment spots with dining and shopping zones to serve locals and tourists on weekends,” he said.
He also suggested expanding Bui Vien Walking Street to nearby streets like Do Quang Dau and De Tham and connect them to the 23/9 Park to offer more interesting stops for visitors.
Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, Chairwoman of the People’s Council, hailed the district’s efforts in boosting the tourism sector, considered a spearhead sector that contributes greatly to the city’s budget. She called on the district to encourage locals to offer tourism services and improve urban management so that the city is “civilised and modern”.
The district should also review its tourism advantages to find ways to make best use of them and call on relevant department and agencies to work together to develop the tourism sector, she added.
Accordingly, Nguyen Hue walking street will be transformed into a flowery canine paradise to welcome the Year of the Dog. Ho Chi Minh's annual flower extravaganza will be accompanied by colorful canines this Lunar Festival to celebrate the Year of the Dog.
The festival, running along 720 meters (2,400 feet) of Nguyen Hue walking street, will be open on February 13 and feature flower displays and giant statues of dogs inspired by the Phu Quoc Ridgeback, a rare breed native to the namesake southern island.
A family of dogs with puppies will be there to welcome visitors at the entrance, while dogs riding a train along the street will be a first for most guests. A colorful statue made from tiny flowers and leaves will stand 3.6 meters tall around halfway down Nguyen Hue, while three huge wooden dogs will be standing guard at the end.
Cartoon versions of typical festival items such as sticky rice cakes, watermelons and candied fruits will also be on display. The Year of the Dog will start on February 16 and the labor ministry has proposed a one-week national break between February 14-20 to mark the country’s biggest festival, known as Tet in Vietnamese. The prime minister needs to sign off on the proposal to make it official. Ho Chi Minh City’s flower street first opened 15 years ago and has become a major attraction, drawing thousands of people every day during the celebrations.
