In an effort to improve the city’s cultural scene, District 1 authorities are in the process of establishing a “music street” in the downtown area.
In recent months, Saigon authorities have introduced several measures to boost the city’s image. Over the last few days, District 1 officials have been spotted out on the streets battling sidewalk encroachment. Simultaneously, the district People’s Committee is also mulling plans to transform one downtown road into a dedicated music street, in the same vein as the Nguyen Van Binh book street, reports Vietnam News.
The exact location of the specialized street is still a subject for debate. Some early proposals have nominated either Han Thuyen or Alexandre de Rhodes Streets as possible venues for the music street, based on the fact that both are adjacent to green space with minimal residential blocks. This would minimize public disturbance during musical performances.
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong has ordered district officials to finalize plans for the street soon. The news outlet adds that authorities are currently researching the equipment that would be required, while the city’s Student Cultural House is putting together a performance program.
Ngo Thanh Chung, director of the cultural house, told Vietnam News: “The music groups and clubs at the HCMC Student Cultural House have experience performing in front of the public. They have performed for students at schools in the city and dormitories, for soldiers in the islands, at open-air stages, and for poor workers and people in rural areas.”
The prospect of a music street in Saigon has garnered a lot of interest from local residents. However, not all are completely on board with the proposal: some experts are concerned that the street might worsen the downtown area’s already chaotic traffic situation.
Director of the HCMC Performing Arts and Cinematography Center Le Huu Luan is of the opinion that the idea for a music street is “interesting but unnecessary”.
“The city has Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, a huge square and an ideal venue for outdoor musical activities. Why don’t we use it as a music street?” Luan told the news source.
[Photo via VTV]
