The Mekong riverside night market near Chao Anouvong Park in Vientiane Capital will undergo renovations in May.
Despite the ongoing refurbishment work, the night market will continue to be accessible to vendors and visitors as usual.
Mr. Nantha Sanouvong, Deputy Director of Vientiane’s Department of Industry and Commerce, said that the improvement is part of preparations to welcome more domestic and foreign tourists and visitors, especially during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in 2024.
The upgrade will focus on improving existing services, promoting domestic production, and the display of provincial agriculture and handicraft products within the market, according to Mr. Nantha.
Authorities are hopeful that the revamp will allow the setting up of 70 local shops in the areas of Wat Chanthaboury that will focus on selling craft products, souvenirs, items from the district, and other local products.
The department apologized for any inconvenience the upgrade may cause visitors and vendors, and it plans to discuss the matter with shopowners by the middle of this month.
In March this year, authorities in Vientiane Capital ordered the closure of the Sihom Night Market, also referred to as “Hengboun Food and Culture Street,” and designated nearby areas for the walking street.
