DIEN BIEN — Dien Bien Phu City in northwestern Dien Bien Province opened its first ever night market on Monday to promote its tourism potential, said the city's deputy chairman Nguyen Duc Duyen.

Muong Thanh night market, spanning 580m through five streets of Muong Thanh Ward, will provide residents and tourists with local cuisine, souvenirs and bonsai from 8-11:30pm every night.

Duyen said the night market would bring job opportunities to local people and bring together night stalls from around the city. There are an estimated 160 households and 90 temporary stalls operating their businesses in the market.

He added that opening of the market was also to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Town (now Dien Bien Phu City).

In addition, many tourists have complained about the lack of night-life and evening activities in the historical town, so the night market would help improve their experience, said the city's deputy chairman. — VNS