For almost two years, residents in Hue have complained about the nightmarket set up on the city's foot street that runs along the poetic Huong(Perfume) River which dissects the ancient imperial city centre.
Beginning in 2004, the street was free from traffic to offer strollsfor sightseeing and relaxing in the most pleasant section of the riverin the central city. At night, local residents and tourists enjoyed thebeauty of the illuminated Truong Tien bridge and fresh air.
The street was also an idyllic place for art shows displayingcalligraphy, portrait drawings and street music performances, until thecity authorities rented the street to a company to create a night marketin 2011.
The market, however, has made local residents furious because of messy view, rude services and pollution.
"I don't think this kind of market is the right choice to open on thisstreet. It needs to be closed," local poet Vo Que once said.
The street is behind a row of magnificent French colonial villas. Queholds his club's performances of traditional music every week at one ofthe villas, but he does not lead his fans on walks after the music showsbecause of the night market.
He is among thousandsof local residents who are disappointed by the market, which has driventourists away from the street, as well. According to local guide VinhBao Huy, his customers refused to walk on the street before boardingdragon boats for a trip on the river.
Under thepressure by locals, city authorities recently demanded the company closethe night market by the end of this year. Two months ago, they alsowanted to erect nha ruong (traditional wooden houses with many beams andpillars) to replace the stands, in a bid to keep the market open.
They failed, however, to find investors, even being refused by thecompany that is renting the street, to build the houses. Thus, theyreached a decision to close the market.
However, thecompany demanded that authorities continue operating the night marketuntil the Lunar New Year holiday, which falls at the end of nextJanuary.
The company also said the market operationhad been interrupted for a month because of clearing the site for thefestival of traditional crafts taking place in April, and soughtcompensation for the loss of business. It also wants the authorities toset aside a new location for the market to assist the vendors.
Hue authorities have not reached a final decision yet, but more delayon the closure would make them look indecisive to locals, who defendtheir opposition to the market so they might restore the gracefulness ofHue for domestic and international visitors.
Dissecting the city centre, the Perfume River is around 30km in lengthand owes its name to its path through aromatic forests. The river, withits shimmering blue limpid colour, is like a pearl in the sun. Dottedwith rowing boats, the citadel, town, gardens, pagodas, towers andtemples, the poetic landscape has long mesmerised travellers.
The ancient imperial city, which is making a name for itself as atourist destination in its own right, is trying to develop the servicesit can offer to tourists in order to receive more income from thispotentially lucrative sector.-VNA
Beginning in 2004, the street was free from traffic to offer strollsfor sightseeing and relaxing in the most pleasant section of the riverin the central city. At night, local residents and tourists enjoyed thebeauty of the illuminated Truong Tien bridge and fresh air.
The street was also an idyllic place for art shows displayingcalligraphy, portrait drawings and street music performances, until thecity authorities rented the street to a company to create a night marketin 2011.
The market, however, has made local residents furious because of messy view, rude services and pollution.
"I don't think this kind of market is the right choice to open on thisstreet. It needs to be closed," local poet Vo Que once said.
The street is behind a row of magnificent French colonial villas. Queholds his club's performances of traditional music every week at one ofthe villas, but he does not lead his fans on walks after the music showsbecause of the night market.
He is among thousandsof local residents who are disappointed by the market, which has driventourists away from the street, as well. According to local guide VinhBao Huy, his customers refused to walk on the street before boardingdragon boats for a trip on the river.
Under thepressure by locals, city authorities recently demanded the company closethe night market by the end of this year. Two months ago, they alsowanted to erect nha ruong (traditional wooden houses with many beams andpillars) to replace the stands, in a bid to keep the market open.
They failed, however, to find investors, even being refused by thecompany that is renting the street, to build the houses. Thus, theyreached a decision to close the market.
However, thecompany demanded that authorities continue operating the night marketuntil the Lunar New Year holiday, which falls at the end of nextJanuary.
The company also said the market operationhad been interrupted for a month because of clearing the site for thefestival of traditional crafts taking place in April, and soughtcompensation for the loss of business. It also wants the authorities toset aside a new location for the market to assist the vendors.
Hue authorities have not reached a final decision yet, but more delayon the closure would make them look indecisive to locals, who defendtheir opposition to the market so they might restore the gracefulness ofHue for domestic and international visitors.
Dissecting the city centre, the Perfume River is around 30km in lengthand owes its name to its path through aromatic forests. The river, withits shimmering blue limpid colour, is like a pearl in the sun. Dottedwith rowing boats, the citadel, town, gardens, pagodas, towers andtemples, the poetic landscape has long mesmerised travellers.
The ancient imperial city, which is making a name for itself as atourist destination in its own right, is trying to develop the servicesit can offer to tourists in order to receive more income from thispotentially lucrative sector.-VNA
