A small market called Xom Local Market has recently opened in the An Thuong Tourist Quarter, also known as the Foreigners' Quarter of Da Nang, located in My An ward, Ngu Hanh Son District. Most of the stall holders are local young people who have a passion for business and creativity. Various items ranging from handmade souvenirs, food, clothes to jewelry are being sold at this market.

Xom Local Market attracts a large number of domestic and foreign vistors. Photo: LAM VIEN

Nguyen Minh Hieu, 26, came up with the idea of opening the Xom Local Market. Hieu was born in Phu Yen Province, but chose Da Nang as a place to study and pursue his dreams. Telling about a story of opening the Xom Local Market, Hieu emphasized that this market is considered as a space for the creative business community in Da Nang. Because of that meaning, Hieu opened the Xom Local Market right at his coffee shop in the Foreigners' Quarter of Da Nang.

Hieu said that the market attracts both local young people and foreigners. Here, the sold products are mostly souvenirs that require creativity with high priority given to locally-produced and handmade items. Especially, typical products made by Da Nang’s young people are always encouraged.

The special thing is that Hieu takes charge of the media content or event organization. Being a meticulous person, Hieu records, edits videos, takes photos, designs banners, and prepares everything perfect for this market.

More than a week prior to the event, Hieu and his wife will open registration for participants in the upcoming market and choose suitable items to be sold at the event. Because of limited space, Hieu imposes a limit on the number of sellers in each product category being only 3 at the event in a bid to prevent unfair competition.

“I want to create a regular event for locals and tourists to do shopping, meet, find their favorite products and enjoy delicious drinks. The market opens every one and a half months on the occasion of public holidays such as Halloween, Christmas, or on weekends. Each event carries a special theme", Hieu said.

On average, Xom Local Market features 25-30 stalls. Each event takes place over 2 days, on Saturdays and Sundays. Till date, this market has taken place 4 times with the most recent event held on December 9. In his efforts to promote this event, Hieu is active in sharing photos and information about the Xom Local Market on social media platforms, as well as connecting with Tiktokers.

Admitting that he had insomnia when he participated in the Xom Local Market for the first time with the handmade cake Cooking Cookies brand, 25 year-old Nguyen Huynh My Duyen shared: "I have been selling my homemade cakes online for a long time. However, I has only sold them directly to my customers for 3 months. Before participating in such a market, I have to prepare cake orders for customers at the event while focusing on packing cakes and decorating the cakes in a creative and beautiful way to prepare for the market so I can't sleep much. The happiest thing is the feeling of waiting for customers to visit my stall at the market so that I can introduce my passionate products to them."

Sharing the same opinion as Duyen, Doan Thi Xuan Mai, 20, the owner of the Hazycow accessories store, said it took her more than a week to prepare for the market held on December 9 with the theme of Christmas season, offering handmade items such as mini pine trees, handmade cards, and wool flowers.

During her second time participating in the market, Mai launched her promotional program right at the event for customers such as clicking on the like button on her shop's fanpage to receive free hairpins, or buying a pine tree to receive a stylized gift box.

Mai who is the third year student majoring in Marketing of the Da Nang University of Economics. She remarked that the market not only provides an opportunity for her to test her entrepreneurial skills but also helps her to put what she learns into practice.

Visiting the market and buying a beautiful small souvenir at only VND 40,000, Ms. Lee Jin Hye, a tourist from South Korea, shared that she learned about the Xom Local Market while strolling in the An Thuong Tourist Quarter.

She was deeply impressed with affordable products for tourists, active young sellers, and small yet beautiful market space.

The upcoming Xom Local Market will carry its theme of New Lunar Year (Tet Festival). According to “host" Nguyen Minh Hieu, he is worried about the weather as the market takes place outdoors. In the future, Hieu wants to upgrade the Xom Local Market into the Xom Festival. The larger-scale event is expected to feature music nights, and stalls selling souvenirs, food and drinks and other products.

Reporting by LAM VIEN – Translating by H.L