A food safety model that has been in operation on the streets of Hoan Kiem District for some months has helped raise awareness of food hygiene among food service providers.

Hoan Kiem District leaders inaugurate Dong Xuan Culinary Alley in January 2024. Photos: Tran Thao

Building Ma May Street into a food safety street

Hang Buom Ward's Ma May Street has been chosen to enforce food safety regulations at the highest level in 2024, aiming to increase tourist attraction for sightseeing and dining in the district.

As one of six pedestrian streets for locals and tourists to explore Hanoi's Old Quarter at night, the entire street is lined with guesthouses, hotels, travel agencies, restaurants, cafes, and street food stalls, with the majority of guests being foreigners, according to Dinh Sy Trung, Deputy Chairman of the Hang Buom District People's Committee.

Ma May has a total of 33 food outlets, including four hotels, three restaurants, 25 eateries and a street food stall, Trung said.

"In the second quarter, the ward authorities will guide eateries on how to meet food safety criteria and publicly disclose the origin of food. In addition, training will be organized for business owners and staff involved in food service on health checks and improving food safety knowledge," he said.

According to Pham Thi Thanh Nhan, head of the district's health division, local producers and eateries on Ma May Street are all committed to ensuring food safety. They are investing in equipment and adjusting their facilities to meet the criteria of being a food safety model.

Hang Buom Ward has the highest density of tourism-related services and eating places in the district, welcoming thousands of visitors every day for accommodation, sightseeing and dining.

The ward focuses on conducting regular inspections and addressing any shortcomings in the implementation of the food safety model in a timely manner, with the goal of making Ma May a flagship street in terms of hygienic food practices in 2024.

Expanding the food safety model

Deputy Chairman of the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, Nguyen Quoc Hoan, attaches the Safe Food Establishment logo to food vendors in Dong Xuan Alley.

In addition to Ma May Street, the food safety model has been applied in Dong Xuan Alley according to a municipal plan.

Dong Xuan Alley, with a length of 200 meters, mainly hosts food and beverage businesses, including eight eateries and 19 street food stalls.

After a period of implementing the food safety model, all 19 street vendors and eight restaurants have obtained the food safety certificate.

Deputy Chairman of the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, Nguyen Quoc Hoan, emphasized that Dong Xuan Alley meets the criteria qualified as a street with hygienic food practices.

He added that based on the Dong Xuan Alley model, the district is weighing expanding it to other areas.

The deputy chairman urges the wards to enhance inspections and monitoring of certified establishments and take strict action against those that fail to meet food safety standards.

In addition, the ward-level authorities have encouraged more food service establishments to register for the model, provided them with guidance on how to meet the criteria for certification, and mobilized the participation of departments and organizations to promote the culinary street in the area.