Spiritual life: A foreign tourist burns incense at Thiên Hậu Pagoda in Chợ Lớn (Chinatown) in HCM City’s District 5. Photo San Hà Viet Nam News The country’s largest city brims with things to do and explore, from motorbike tours of former Chinatown to incense-filled pagodas, underground war tunnels and a UNESCO-listed biosphere. San Hà HCM CITY — HCM City, formerly known as Sài Gòn, has emerged from its darkest days to become one of Asia’s most exciting cities. The international travel guide publisher Lonely Planet named Việt Nam’s southern metropolis one of the top 10 places to visit in Asia in 2018. If you’re a first-time visitor and don’t have a week-long holiday in HCM City, it’s crucial to experience some of the city’s intriguing historic landmarks, vibrant markets, local food and diverse nightlife offerings and activities to make the most of two or three days in the … [Read more...] about Bustling HCM City a top spot for tourists
Old city market
Hanoi: Traditional market renovation still face challenges
A stall in Long Bien market (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Hanoi’s Long Bien district began a project to renovate old traditional markets to be more modern in 2016, but only 13 of the 20 existing markets have been upgraded so far. The project, initiated by municipal authorities, aims to build or renovate traditional markets across the city into trading centres to meet consumers’ demand as well as hygiene and safety standards. However, Long Bien, like many other districts, is facing many difficulties in the transition. Nguyen The Trong, who manages four markets in Long Bien district’s Ngoc Lam ward, told Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) that a traditional market needed to meet at least 10 criteria to be recognised as modern and civilised market. These criteria include infrastructure conditions, fire safety, food safety and hygiene, and public order, he said. After two years of implementation, 13 out of 20 traditional markets … [Read more...] about Hanoi: Traditional market renovation still face challenges
Traditional market renovation still face challenges
Part of Đồng Xuân-Bắc Qua Market in Hà Nội. — VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội’s Long Biên District began a project to renovate old traditional markets to be more modern in 2016, but only 13 of the 20 existing markets have been upgraded so far. The project, initiated by municipal authorities, aims to build or renovate traditional markets across the city into trading centres to meet consumers’ demand as well as hygiene and safety standards. However, Long Biên, like many other districts, is facing many difficulties in the transition. Nguyễn Thế Trọng, who manages four markets in Long Biên District’s Ngọc Lâm Ward, told Thời báo Kinh tế Việt Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) newspaper that a traditional market needed to meet at least 10 criteria to be recognised as modern and civilised market. These criteria … [Read more...] about Traditional market renovation still face challenges
Work speeds up on Saigon’s Chinatown market
The 90-year-old wholesale market in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 6 had dramatically deteriorated after nearly a century in use, prompting authorities to shut it down in November 2016 for a major restoration project. After two years, work is set to be completed in a week or so, following which the district’s project management unit will carry out a full inspection before giving the go ahead for the market to reopen next month. The repair and restoration work is estimated to have cost more than VND104 billion ($4.66 million). The city plans to collect payments from tenants over the next 10 years. Many parts of the market including its tiled roof, pillars, stairways, banisters, floors, walls, and main entrances have been upgraded. Public restrooms and a room for electricity generators are among the additions. The facelift has retained the market’s original architecture and features like the bas-reliefs of dragons, the phoenix, and the clock tower, said Nguyen Anh Viet, … [Read more...] about Work speeds up on Saigon’s Chinatown market
An age-old fabric market in town
Around Town An age-old fabric market in town Hoang The Phong Tuesday, Jul 25, 2017,23:38 (GMT+7) An age-old fabric market in townHoang The Phong The bustling atmosphere at Soai Kinh Lam fabric market on the busy Tran Hung Dao Street in HCMC’s District 5 Despite numerous ups and downs of the economy, and despite drastic changes to the socio-economic landscape in HCMC, there is a special market that has maintained its special traits for decades. Soai Kinh Lam in the city’s District 5 is known far and wide for its long-established role as a crucial distribution hub of fabrics, not only for the city but the entire southern region. And it is also recommended as a venue for tourists who want to take sightseeing tours to gain an insight into the bustling business in the city in general and the Cholon area in particular. In HCMC, there are markets specializing in a particular type of commodities. For example, Kim Bien … [Read more...] about An age-old fabric market in town