All state officers in Hoi An will start going to work by bike beginning March 25, said Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the Hoi An Town People’s Committee.

Dung said he and other local officials all support this initiative as a way to turn Hoi An into an eco-friendly town, and preserve its charm. It is hoped that the participation of state officers will encourage other residents to follow suit.

Currently, the town of Hoi An has more than 1,600 state officers. For many years, there have been many residents who have voluntarily walked or used bicycles to help protect the town's environment and unique aesthetic.

Recently, prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked that the five cities of Hanoi, HCM City, Haiphong, Danang and Can Tho pilot a public bicycle project in those city centres.

According to the PM, this is among the measures to restrict private vehicles in order to reduce urban traffic.