Lang Son Province walking street a new tourist destination

Giang Dinh My Tu, 34, felt "quite surprised" at the bustling activities along Ky Lua street during her family trip to the northern province, which borders China, last weekend.

"A lot of tradition combined with modern art activities took place on the street, creating a boisterous atmosphere, though it was not too crowded," she said.

Tu, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, added that booths selling local specialties are arranged neatly along the street and show good food hygiene. "Everything is in order. The system of signs, information boards and toilet area are all clear and neat."

In the past, this area had little means of promoting Lang Son life and culture. "There was only an electronics market here back then," she recalled.

Ky Lua walking street started operating on October 16, from 6 p.m. to midnight every Friday and Saturday. The area stretches 1,300 m along Bac Son, Le Lai, Tran Quoc Toan and Luong Van Tri streets and areas around Ky Lua Market.

Here visitors can partake in traditional folk games under guidance of instructors, enjoy local cuisine, purchase local signature goods, especially agriculture produce, and souvenirs.

Nong Bich Diep, Vice Chairman of Lang Son People's Committee, and head manager of Ky Lua pedestrian street, said the initiative attracts about 10,000 visitors per week, 2.5 times higher than initially expected.

"In the upcoming time, we will increase parking space if the number of visitors continues to increase. In addition, cultural and art performances, along with folk games will bear specific themes to promote the cultural and traditional identity of Lang Son," Diep said.

Food booths on Ky Lua pedestrian street. Photo by VnExpress/My Tu.

Lang Son received 3 million visitors last year, of this 2 million came to Lang Son Town, capital of the eponymous province.

The province recently launched rock climbing tours as a new signature tourism product in Yen Thinh Commune, Huu Lung District which boasts a network of big mountains, many of them with vertical slopes.

Lang Son is also well known for its Huu Lien Commune, which captivates with its spectacular limestone hills, vast undulating grasslands, moss-covered waterfalls and emerald lakes.

A new expressway opened to traffic in late 2019 has helped reduce the travel time from Hanoi to Lang Son by 30 minutes to two and a half hours. The 64-kilometer-expressway runs from Bac Giang Province, 80 km northeast of Hanoi, to Chi Lang District in Lang Son. It links up with Hanoi-Bac Giang Expressway.

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue and Hoi An have famed for their bustling walking streets designated to liven up nightlife, thus attract many more tourists.