Promoting the potential of the traditional market network, Da Nang has implemented synchronous solutions to gradually form a system of point markets serving tourism, ensuring the provision of goods and services for the people and specific tourism products. In addition, the system helps promote trade, and especially tourism, to truly become a spearhead industry with high contributions to the city's economic structure.

Upgrading the shelves, rearranging the goods and creating a spacious, clean, airy space help attract tourists to the Han Market. Photo: TRAN TRUC

Since 2022, under the the Da Nang People’s Committee-approved project, the Han and Con markets in the city centre have been selected as ones serving tourism. The Da Nang Market Management and Development Company under the municipal Department of Industry and Trade has promoted repair and renovation at these two markets.

For the Han Market in Hai Chau District, the company has completed large-scale renovation. In particular, the food court running from Bach Dang Street into the market is spacious, clean, and beautiful, in line with the city’s tourism development trend.

Meanwhile, at the Con Market, the street vendor area (food, snacks) on the two internal roads Hung Vuong and Ong Ich Khiem has been renovated to create a unique highlight; shelves, kiosks have been renovated; the food court at 15A communal house ensures regulations on commercial civilisation and food safety.

During the tourist season and holidays, the Han market welcomes 4,000 - 6,000 domestic and foreign visitors every day. This is a shopping vunue that is extremely popular with international tourists, especially South Korean, Chinese and Indian nationals.

The Han Market Management Board has rearranged the kiosks in a more scientific and modern direction, focusing on goods and industries serving tourism such as local specialties, souvenirs, food, fashion and quick Ao Dai tailoring service.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huyen, who sells souvenirs at the Han Market, is always enthusiastic and friendly when consulting customers about products because she believes that, in addition to the requirements for product quality, factors in communication and commercial civilisation will help attract more buyers and make a better impression on tourists. “We always offer products that are sold at listed prices, have clear origins, ensure food safety regulations and meet the needs of tourists”., said Huyen.

Local people and tourists often tend to visit and shop at traditional markets. Trading activities are bustling at the Han Market. Photo: TRAN TRUC

According to Mr. Diep Hoang Thong Anh, the Deputy Director of Da Nang Market Management and Development Company, building a tourist market is not only about upgrading, renovating and arranging product lines, but also about transforming the capacity and business mindset of officials, employees working in market management, and business households in the market in a civilised, modern direction, and applying digital transformation to create a beautiful image in the eyes of tourists.

“We focus on developing products and brands of tourist markets through building a distinguishing identity between tourist markets and other traditional ones. The markets also develop points of sale, display stalls of OCOP (One Commune - One Product), typical rural industrial products and those made in craft villages across Da Nang. In the coming time, we will continue to synchronously deploy solutions to reorganize business activities in a civilised direction; renovate, renovate and upgrade degraded infrastructure items at markets under its management to create a favorable business environment, attracting more and more domestic and foreign visitors to visit and shop.,” Mr. Diep Hoang Thong Anh informed.

Also part of the tourist market system, the Tho Quang seafood wholesale market in Son Tra District is investing in construction and upgrading synchronous and modern infrastructure. Attached to the Tho Quang fishing port, this place is considered the largest seafood wholesale market in the central region.

The output of seafood through the port and market ranges from 100,000 - 130,000 tons/year, supplying the domestic consumption market and processing for export; attracting over 3,000 workers/day and night, directly participating in seafood trading and providing logistics services. With the characteristics of buying and selling products, the market is always bustling around the clock. The Tho Quang seafood wholesale market also has a favourable geographical location, close to other tourist attractions such as the Son Tra Peninsula and the Linh Ung Pagoda.

In December 2024, the Da Nang People’s Committee approved the project on overall management of the fishing port and the Tho Quang seafood wholesale market associated with services and tourism. Accordingly, the orientation is to build the fishing port, the Tho Quang seafood wholesale market with synchronous and modern infrastructure; effectively manage and exploit investment projects; create unique highlights to attract tourists to visit and experience.

It is known that the research project proposes to form a number of tourist markets in the city with the goal of forming a system of modern tourist markets, bearing urban identity, creating unique local tourism products. Accordingly, by 2030, Da Nang will form 11 tourist markets, mainly concentrated in the area along the Han River and the east bank (coastal Son Tra - Ngu Hanh Son); towards the Son Tra Peninsula, the Hai Van Pass and the west of the city; the Da Nang Bay and the coastal areas of Tho Quang, My Khe and Non Nuoc.

Specifically, the 11 markets in this phase include the Han, Con, Bac My An, Cam Le, Hoa Khanh, Tuy Loan, Hoa Phuoc, Huong Phuoc, An Hai Bac, Tho Quang and Dong Hai markets. By 2050, the city will continue to form two more tourist markets, Nai Hien market and Thanh Khe seafood market, bringing the total number of tourist markets to 13.

Reporting by TRAN TRUC - Translating by A.THU