Hai Phong: An Intriguing Urban Tourism Destination

A New and Exciting Experience

At the end of August 2024, Hong Bang District organized an artistic program to kick off the Quang Trung Pedestrian Street (located in Phan Boi Chau Ward), which was warmly welcomed by locals and visitors alike. In its early days, the pedestrian street attracted tens of thousands of people to enjoy sightseeing, entertainment, and shopping. During the September 2nd holiday, Quang Trung Pedestrian Street became a popular destination, drawing crowds for recreation and leisure.

Nguyen Quoc Bao, a resident of Cau Dat Street (Ngo Quyen District), shared that he was born and raised in this neighborhood and is proud that Hai Phong boasts the most beautiful central garden stretch in the country. For him and many Hai Phong residents, this area has long been a familiar spot for relaxation and strolls. Therefore, the decision to host the pedestrian street on Quang Trung Street was enthusiastically embraced by the locals.

Do Quynh Mai, a tourist from Hanoi, expressed her excitement, noting that beyond the famous Do Son and Cat Ba tourist spots, Hai Phong offers many other fascinating destinations. Most of Hai Phong's attractive urban destinations are concentrated in the city center. A walk around Tam Bac Lake, admiring French-era structures such as Quan Hoa, the City Theater Square, and the Music Pavilion, evokes a sense of serenity and nostalgia. Additionally, sampling local delicacies like crab noodle soup, snails, spicy bread, and steamed rolls offers unforgettable experiences.

However, Mai noted that Hai Phong's urban tourism has been lacking in accommodations and entertainment venues, especially at night. Therefore, organizing a pedestrian street on Quang Trung Street is a timely initiative. She suggested hosting more activities such as shopping, dining, and cultural performances to enhance the experience.

Service Streets and Night Economy Development

In addition to Quang Trung Pedestrian Street, Hai Phong is establishing service streets that evoke a distinct charm with just their names, such as Minh Khai and Le Lai Streets for coffee, Tran Hung Dao Street for late-night dining, and culinary streets like Le Hong Phong, Nguyen Cong Hoa, and Hoang Minh Thao. In the near future, newly organized service streets such as The Lu and Phung Chi Kien will further enhance the appeal of Hai Phong's urban tourism.

According to Le Tam, Head of the Economic Department of Hong Bang District, Quang Trung Pedestrian Street operates on weekend evenings. On Fridays, it runs from 7 PM to 11 PM, and on Saturdays and Sundays, from 6 PM to 11 PM. Spanning approximately 700 meters, the street is adorned with decorative miniatures for visitors to check in. The district has also arranged service zones, performing arts areas, and parking facilities for convenience. Meanwhile, representatives from Ngo Quyen District revealed that Phung Chi Kien Street is being planned as a culinary street. This initiative not only meets the needs of residents and visitors but also aims to make the street a destination with a stable and comprehensive service system.

Opportunities to Boost Nighttime Tourism

Hoang Tuan Anh, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong Tourism Association, observed that tourists often ask basic questions when visiting Hai Phong: “What is there to eat? What is there to do? What activities are available at night?” While these may seem simple, the lack of comprehensive answers stems from Hai Phong's limited entertainment offerings. Thus, initiatives like the Quang Trung Pedestrian Street and the development of more service streets will diversify Hai Phong's attractions and create opportunities to boost the nighttime economy.

Tuan Anh added that tourism in northern Vietnam, including Hai Phong, is heavily seasonal, with the peak occurring during summer months. The planned service streets aim to address this challenge by providing year-round attractions. Combined with seasonal tourism programs for autumn-winter and spring-summer, Hai Phong's urban areas linked with these service streets will enrich and expand the city's tourism activities.

Complementing the established brands of Cat Ba and Do Son, Hai Phong's urban areas are beginning to embrace tourism to diversify their offerings. Recent developments like food tours, architecturally unique attractions, and Quang Trung Pedestrian Street have significantly increased tourist numbers. Moving forward, efforts to expand and enhance these offerings must include effective management of commerce, services, and public order to ensure sustainable development.