Since its official operation in May 2016, the Da Nang Night Market, located in An Thuong 4 Street, My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, has emerged as one of the most popular attractions in the city for those who want to explore the domestic and foreign cuisines.

On sale at the Da Nang Night Market are large amounts of domestic and international dishes

This food night market model has been developed by Mr Sakai Hideyuky, a Japanese national, and his Vietnamese wife Pham Thi Bich Thao, consisting of a total of 18 food stalls featuring Vietnamese dishes and the culinary quintessence of such countries worldwide as China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and France.

These stalls have been leased to those who are interested in doing culinary business. 

Mr Sakai Hideyuki himself is an experienced chef who has worked for many international restaurants in Japan, Australia, and other countries around the world, and opened a number of restaurants in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang.

Selling the oh-so-famous ‘banh mi’ outside the couple’s restaurant for late night snacks and seeing how popular it was really put things in perspective for the idea of a night market in An Thuong to offer quick, delicious, and convenient food.

“A lot of my friends want to have small businesses to let people eat good food ... [our banh mi cart] became so popular quickly, so I found out that people like those street things. So why don't we make street food together?!” Sakai said.

“When in Viet Nam, it’s important to keep tradition alive so tourists and expats can really experience the food the way the locals do.  Why not create good, safe food, be socially responsible, care for the environment, and create a community where street food - the icon of food in Viet Nam - is convenient for us?, he continued.

To be eligible for renting a stall at the Da Nang Night Market, food start-up developers have to meet the couple-set strict requirements regarding reasonable food prices, and delicious and diverse dishes, plus some related demands.

“The renters must provide adequate information about what dishes they intend to sell, and how much they cost” Sakai affirmed. With his rich culinary experience, Sakai, himself, will check the quality of the dishes. 

In recent times, this inviting place has always been packed with domestic and foreign tourists, hereby helping to add a bustling trading ambience to the An Thuong tourism quarter.

Ms Phuong Thuy residing in Son Tra District’s Phuoc My Ward highly appreciated the Da Nang Night Market for its quite modern and clean setting with eye-catching decorations. In particular, there are a wide range of delicious and strange dishes prepared by foreign chefs and offered at affordable prices.

Apart from locals, this place is very attractive to expats living in the city and international tourists. Supichaya, a male tourist from Thailand, for instance, also recommended this site as an ideal choice for food and beverage lovers.

However, the couple pointed out to the fact that no parking areas have yet to be constructed in the An Thuong tourist area, and there is still a shortage of inviting activities catering for visitors. 

As for their aspirations, Sakai and his wife hoped that the An Thuong tourist area project would be deployed in a synchronous way so that they and other food service providers will feel more secure whilst doing business there, and attract even more customers in the coming time.