Khuadin Market to Close for Redevelopment
Source: Vientiane Times
The management of the Khuadin market, located in Sisattanak district, Vientiane, will suspend trade at the market while construction of a new market is ongoing, at a projected cost of 200 billion kip.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the Director of Lieng Heng Enterprise Commercial Management Co., Ltd., Mr. Virith Sengdara, said construction work will start on April 25 and will take 11 months, with the market scheduled to reopen in March next year.
“We have full ownership of Khuadin market without any shareholders. A loan for this project has been approved by the Lao Development Bank,” he said.
Vendors who currently have stalls at the market will have to find a new location but will be first in line when it comes to choosing a site for their stall when the market reopens.
“The cost of stall rental will increase by about 35 percent of the current amount, but we will give a special discount to vendors who have rented a site at the market for many years,” Mr. Virith said.
“Our intention is to turn the market, which has been in existence for more than 40 years, into a modern, convenient, clean and safe place for trade. We want it to retain its Lao identity but also remain a fresh market with wholesale and retail outlets that sell a wide range of goods in one location,” he added.
The company is hopeful that the remodeled Khuadin market will be a place of interest for visitors, especially those attending the Asean Summit that Laos will host next year.
After the redevelopment, the market will have space for at least 900 stalls, an increase from the current 600-700 stalls, as well as parking for 600 cars.
Three separate opening times are planned. The fresh market will open from 3am to 8am outside the building, while stalls inside will be accessible from 8am to 5pm. From 5pm to midnight, vendors will sell cooked food, clothing and fashion accessories.
