The area around Ban Co Market, surrounded by Dien Bien Phu, Cao Thang, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Ly Thai To streets, has “great potential” to become a backpacker hub similar to Bui Vien in District 1, according to a report submitted to the Ho People’s Committee of Chi Minh City cited by Thanh Nien newspaper.
The report was produced by a consortium including the Vietnam Institute of Urban and Rural Planning, the Southern Institute for Land Planning of Vietnam, Green Space Company and EnCity Company.
The proportion of commercial services in the Ban Co area is quite high, accounting for about 60% of all businesses, while the alley system has a small cross-section without sidewalks and traffic speeds are not high, says the report.
“The entire circulation space is considered a public square with services on both sides, creating a busy area,” the report adds.
According to urban planning experts, the Ban Co district is the only district in Ho Chi Minh City designed in a checkerboard shape, Phap taken the newspaper reported.
Its design is similar to that of some major cities around the world such as Barcelona (Spain), New York and Seattle (United States).
The Ban Co area is now home to a wide range of food stalls, fashion stores, restaurants and tourist services that attract many foreign tourists every year.
The backpacker area of District 1, encompassed by De Tham, Bui Vien, Do Quang Dau and Pham Ngu Lao streets, is surrounded by a wide range of bars, nightclubs, dance clubs and restaurants, creating one of the most economic the liveliest nightlife in Vietnam.
Since 2017, Bui Vien Street has been closed to vehicles from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends.
Industry professionals have repeatedly complained that Ho Chi Minh City still lacks nightlife entertainment services for foreign tourists.
Foreign arrivals in Ho Chi Minh City reached 4.12 million from January to October this year, or 82 percent of the set target of five million.
