Lang Son- Ky Lua Walking Street: Initial success and expectations

(LSO) – After nearly a month of opening Ky Lua Walking Street, Lang Son city has achieved initial successes, creating great expectations and a new spirit in economic, cultural and tourism development for the city in particular, and the province in general.

Having the opportunity to visit Lang Son city to visit on the first weekend of November 2020, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Sam, a tourist from Hai Duong city, Hai Duong province told that he was deeply impressed by the busy atmosphere at Ky Lua Walking Street. Here, he saw various traditional art activities combined with modernity. In addition, there are many well- organized food stalls presenting many local specialties. He had captured many beautiful pictures to recommend Ky Lua Walking Street for his friends to explore.

Not only tourists from neighboring provinces and cities, local people from districts and the city of Lang Son province also come to immerse themselves in the bustling atmosphere of Ky Lua Walking Street. Mr. Vy Van Sy coming from Hoa Lac commune, Huu Lung district said that knowing about the opening of the walking street, his family and relatives came to shop in a joyful atmosphere. He was proud that it was such a weekend night tourist attraction in Lang Son city.

Ky Lua Walking Street attracting a lot of people at the weekend

Over  the last  4 weeks (from October 16 to now), on Ky Lua Walking Street, from 18:00 to 24:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, residents and visitors had witnessed the bustling atmosphere and participated in unique activities organized on this street  as namely as traditional games such as tug of war, push sticks, go on stilts, play umbrellas, stall dance, lion dance. Visitors also had a chance to watch  cultural and artistic shows and  taste unique food of Lang Son, and buy souvenirs.

It is clear that apart from attracting a large number of tourists, business activities in the area are also promoted, bringing great economic efficiency. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy An, an owner of a food stall at the walking street, said that since the operation of the street, every weekend her whole family rushed to have dinner earlier than usual to prepare food for a bustling night. The walking street not only made the weekend even more bustling, but also helped them to have more business opportunities. In the near future she planned to register for open one more souvenir booth to serve tourists ‘demands.

It is expected that Ky Lua Walking Street attracts about 2,000 visitors per night. But in fact, the average number of visitors was 3 times higher than the expected number c a problem for the functional management unit in order to operate the walking street to operate synchronously, attract tourists to Lang Son city in particular and Lang Son in general.

Ms. Nong Bich Diep, Vice Chairman of Lang Son City People’s Committee, Head of Ky Lua Walking Street Street Management Board said that in the coming time they would develop a plan to ensure the station and parking areas  if the number of visitors  continued increase. In addition, cultural and artistic performances, and folk games on the street would be designed in accordance with  the political, economic, cultural and social events of the province and the country with the aim to both promote the cultural and traditional identities of Lang Son and create a highlight for the neighborhood.

With the initial successes, Ky Lua Walking Street is a proof of  the right direction of the Party Committee, the local government and the solidarity of the city people. It is believed that in the coming time the neighborhood would continue to build up beautiful images, create a unique identity in the hearts of tourists, become a highlight of the city, contribute to the economic, cultural, social development of the city, especially the night economy in the locality.

According to statistics of the Walking Street Management Board, after 4 weeks of operation, on average each week (2 nights every Friday and Saturday), the walking  street attracts between 10,000 and 12,000 visitors; particularly in the opening night (October 16), there were 10,000 visitors visiting  and experiencing the activities there.