HCMC – The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has proposed supplementing regulations for the operation and management of night markets, aiming to reduce its negative impacts.

Under the evening economy development project in Vietnam, approved by the prime minister pursuant to Decision No. 1129 on July 27, 2020, the MOIT was assigned to coordinate with other relevant agencies to develop regulations on the operation and management of night markets.

According to the MOIT, after running pilot programs in some big cities and provinces such as Hanoi, HCMC and Thanh Hoa, the advantages of night markets include their attractiveness to visitors and capacity to highlight the special features of localities and regions.

Night markets are expected to contribute to the development of the service sector and domestic tourism and increase the income of residents by employing a huge number of workers.

However, the MOIT also said that during the operation of the night markets, many social issues had arisen, such as noise pollution and a lack of traffic security and social order, especially criminal offenses, prostitution, robberies, drugs and fraud. Therefore, if there is no legal framework, the night market and evening economy model will bring negative effects.

Due to the above reasons, the MOIT has proposed supplementing many regulations relating to the night market’s development, including clarifying the responsibilities and competence of the provincial Peoples’ Committees. The Ministry also sought to add the obligations and responsibilities of local administrations and public security forces in ensuring social order, risk management and minimizing the negative effects of night markets on communities.