 Plans to turn Vientiane's Morning Market into a modern shopping mall are met with mixed reactions Ms Veota Siyavong, 19, a resident of Phonsavang village, said: "This is good news for Lao people because we will have a big supermarket similar to that in other countries, and since it is located in town it shows the development of Laos. But I am not sure that the traders in the market agree with this or not. Understandably, they are worried that other wealthier traders will take their spots or introduce too much competition. But overall, I think the new building will make shopping more convenient." A trader in the Morning Market, said: "I don't have any problem with new project as long as I'm allowed to sell in the new market. But if they tell me to stop selling, because they are constructing a new building, I have to accept and follow what they say. I am just a trader, I can't do anything but follow their orders." Ms Duangphathai Bountham, 16, a resident of Dongsavath village, said: "Nowadays, the Morning Market is very crowded, there are a lot of shops, and the walkway is too narrow compared to other places. So many people will prefer to shop at Lao ITECC when it opens or Planet Centre. If there is a new Morning Market, it will become a point of attraction for many people. I have not seen the model of the new building yet, but I would like them to keep it in the Lao style, like the National Cultural Hall building, or the MRC building. It should be a mix of tradition and modernism." Ms Vonechai Moulathsavong, 26, a resident in Sivilay, said: "I often see many foreigners go to the Morning Market. Maybe they go there because of the character of the old building. I'm not sure. But a new market will show them that Laos can have the same kind of big market that other countries have. But I worry that a new building will mean that the price of products will be more expensive to make up for the cost and quality of the new building." A visitor from Thailand, said: "It is very good that your country will have a new Morning Market because the old one is too old. When we look at the outside, it's hard to be sure that it's even a market. I think that the new market will bring more money to your country. Every time that Thai tour buses visit Laos, they always take their visitors to the Morning Market. If you make the market more beautiful, they will spend more time shopping there. And I think not only the morning market should be improved, but I think the bus station opposite the market should also be reorganised." Mr Sunalath Phanthavong, 21, a resident of Xaysavang village, said: "If we have the new super market, it will mean that our market is more like markets in other countries. It will also make things more convenient for shoppers. The quality of our products is already very good and they are a symbol of Laos. When foreigners visit Laos, they want to buy Lao products and I am sure this is the only place you can buy beautiful silk Sinhs, silver and handicrafts. Most people actually will not care much about the building, but they will care about the convenience." Mr Chaipadith Nathavong, 20, a resident of Phanmanh village, said: "It will be an advantage in the long term to have a new Morning Market, because it will make things more convenient and attractive. But I worry that it will impact tourism in the short term, because it will take many years to build it. The visitors might not know where they can buy the things they are looking for. The Morning market is a famous market in Vientiane; many people know only about this market, and I'm worried that the construction will have an impact on the traders while the new one is being built." Mr Sitthideth Luanglath, 17, a resident of Nongbone village, said: "If there is a new market, I will probably go there because it will be air conditioned. And I am sure that girls who follow fashions will shop in the new Morning Market instead of going shopping in neighbouring countries." |
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