HCMC mulls second backpacker quarter

The area around Ban Co Market surrounded by Dien Bien Phu, Cao Thang, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ly Thai To streets has "great potential" to become a backpacker hub similar to Bui Vien in District 1, according to a report submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee as cited by Thanh Nien newspaper.

The report was made by a consortium that includes the Vietnam Institute for Urban and Rural Planning, the Southern Institute for the Spatial Planning of Vietnam, the Green Space Company and the EnCity Company.

The proportion of trade services in the Ban Co area is quite high, accounting for about 60% of all businesses, while the alley system has a small cross-section without sidewalks and traffic speeds are not high, the report said.

"The entire traffic space is considered a public square with services on both sides, creating a very busy area," the report added.

According to urban planning experts, the Ban Co area is the only area in Ho Chi Minh City designed in a checkerboard style, Phap Luat newspaper reported.

Its design is similar to some large cities in the world such as Barcelona (Spain), New York, and Seattle (the U.S.).

Ban Co area is now home to a wide array of food stalls, fashion stores, restaurants and tourism trade services that attract many foreign tourists every year.

The backpacker precinct in District 1, encompassed by the streets of De Tham, Bui Vien, Do Quang Dau, and Pham Ngu Lao is surrounded by an array of bars, discotheques, dance clubs and restaurants, creating one of Vietnam's busiest nighttime economies.

Starting from 2017, Bui Vien street was closed to vehicles from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. on weekends.

Industry insiders have several times complained Ho Chi Minh City still lacks night-time entertainment services for foreign tourists.

Foreign arrivals to Ho Chi Minh City reached 4.12 million from January to October this year, or 82% of the set target of five million.