Bringing more life to Hai Phong’s Night Food and Walking Street

Two streets, One artistic rhythm

“What I like most is being able to walk around, enjoy local food, and listen to music without having to enter a fixed performance venue. The atmosphere is very open and welcoming, especially when young performers interact and connect with the audience…” said Ms. Nguyen Hai Ngan, a resident of Ngo Quyen Ward, while enjoying an artistic program with her friends on Quang Trung Street on the evening of August 29.

For Mr. Tran Van Nam, a visitor from Hanoi, the most interesting aspect is that art becomes an integral part of the nighttime street life rather than being separated from it.

“You might be having a meal and, just a little farther down the street, come across a group of musicians performing. Each street has its own distinctive character, so even after walking around once, there are still plenty of things to see and hear. This approach brings more energy and vibrancy to the city center at night,” Mr. Nam said.

The impressions shared by residents and visitors reflect a new urban experience taking shape along the city’s central streets. From the very first evenings of the Night Food and Walking Street, while the opening ceremony was taking place at the City Opera House Square, Quang Trung and Tran Hung Đao streets simultaneously transformed into distinctive performance spaces, creating artistic stops along the evening stroll.

At times, the fusion of art and everyday life becomes especially vivid, as the boundary between performers and audiences begins to disappear. Visitors are not merely spectators experiencing the art; they can also become part of the performance and the vibrant atmosphere of the night streets.

Street art does not stand apart from everyday life; instead, it finds its way to places where people gather, socialize, and enjoy themselves. People do not necessarily have to make a prior appointment to experience art. A melody can be heard while enjoying a meal, and a performance may be encountered by chance along the way. From these spontaneous encounters can come enjoyment, connection, and shared experiences. In this sense, art does more than simply make the walking street livelier. More importantly, it expands the space for cultural experiences and brings art closer to the community.

Creating a new cultural gathering place

According to Member of the Standing Committee of the Hai Phong City Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee Le Trung Kien, bringing art to the streets not only creates additional cultural offerings for residents and visitors, but also expands opportunities to introduce Hai Phong’s culture in a more accessible and natural way.

When traditional cultural values become part of modern urban life, young people have more opportunities to discover and experience culture in a more vivid and engaging way. In turn, these cultural values can be preserved, renewed, and shared with a wider audience.

This is also one of the highlights of the street stage. An excerpt from a traditional cheo opera, a folk song, or the sound of a traditional musical instrument appearing amid the nighttime streets may first spark the curiosity of passersby, opening the door to a deeper interest in traditional arts.

Alongside the performances are interactive activities such as magic shows, clown acts, traditional to he figurine making, mini-games, street matchmaking, and artistic shadow performances. These activities encourage the public not only to watch but also to take part directly. The walking street therefore takes on a stronger sense of community, fostering connections among residents, visitors, and artists.

According to the plan, during the pilot period of the Night Food and Walking Street, from August 28 to October 24, 2026, artistic programs will be held every Friday and Saturday evening at the City Opera House Square, Quang Trung Street, and Tran Hung Dao Street, offering residents and visitors a diverse “menu” of artistic experiences.

Maintaining a regular schedule of performances also lays the foundation for developing new cultural habits. Residents can choose the programs they enjoy, while visitors can check the performance schedule in advance and plan their itineraries accordingly. Local businesses also gain better opportunities to develop services that complement the cultural activities.

For art to become a sustainable attraction, arts organizations and clubs are continuously refreshing their programs, improving their quality, and incorporating more performances that showcase Hai Phong’s distinctive cultural identity. With these efforts, the series of artistic performances is expected to bring a new “lifeblood” to the Night Food and Walking Street.

When art takes to the streets, residents gain more than just another place to relax and have fun. The city also gains another space to tell its own story — through music, cultural memories, and the rhythm of life in a Port City undergoing transformation.

Hai Hau

Hai Hau