Recently, Phu Quoc Special Zone People's Committee (An Giang) said that the locality is directing relevant departments to liquidate the land lease contract for organizing Bach Dang pedestrian street and night market to comply with legal regulations.
According to the leader of Phu Quoc Special Zone, in September 2015, the Phu Quoc District Economic Department (now the Phu Quoc Special Zone Economic, Infrastructure and Urban Department) signed an economic contract with Ngoi Sao Bien Tourism Joint Stock Company to lease premises to organize Bach Dang pedestrian street and night market (Phu Quoc night market) for a term of 10 years, ending on December 31, 2025.
Before the contract expires and stops operating, the night market is a destination visited by most domestic and foreign tourists when setting foot in Phu Quoc.
Phu Quoc night market is very familiar to tourists, every time I go to Phu Quoc and stay in Duong Dong, I stop by to stroll, shop, eat and drink. It creates a comfortable feeling suitable for evening strolls, a rather characteristic feature, and also a choice among tourist destinations," shared Ms. Tran Thao Nhi, a tourist from Can Tho.
Although it is a familiar destination, it must be recognized that in the pedestrian street and night market, there are still problems with wastewater treatment systems, security and order, fire prevention and fighting... If it stops operating and is upgraded and renovated later or there is a new market that meets the current green tourism criteria, it is too good," Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long, a tourist from Can Tho, expressed.
Many small traders also shared that they have stuck to the night market from times when there were few to many customers. There were times when sales were temporarily suspended like the COVID-19 epidemic, then for a period of time when tourism had not recovered and had a lot of impact, until today they still want to continue buying and selling.
Now that the contract has expired, we have to comply with regulations. However, for households trading in souvenirs, clothes... people import goods to sell for Tet, now that the market has stopped operating, it is also difficult for many things" - Ms. H.T.M. - a small trader selling at Phu Quoc night market - wondered.
According to a representative of Ngoi Sao Bien Company - said that immediately after receiving the notice from the Economic, Infrastructure and Urban Department of Phu Quoc Special Zone, the company notified small traders requesting payment of premises rental fees until the end of December 31, 2025; collecting tools and goods. After liquidating the contract, the company will no longer have a legal basis to continue providing electricity and water... to small traders at the night market.
