Hanoi authorities are proposing to pedestrianise large areas of Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter, an official said.

Walking around Hoan Kiem on 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi

Better Impression

Nguyen Quoc Hoa, Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee said from this year, Hang Buom, Ma May, and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets would be pedestrianised at weekends, with a plan to roll-out the policy to other areas in Hoan Kiem District if it proved successful.

According to Hoa, the pedestrianisation of the Old Quarter would help improve the capital city’s image.

“After trying to struggling to preserve the Old Quarter, the municipal authorities will draft a roadmap to pedestrianise streets around Hoan Kiem and Trang Tien Street.”

Pavements are currently clogged with parked motorbikes and products sold by retail outlest, Hoa said, noting that the new pedestrianised streets would create a perfect environment for promoting the sale of Vietnamese traditional products.

Lieutenant-General Nguyen Duc Nhanh, Director of Hanoi Police Department, said, “Vehicles travelling through the Old Quarter make it difficult for pedestrians, especially foreign tourists.”

He welcomed the proposal believing it would be better for people to walk, and would act as a spur for retail sales along the earmarked streets.

“Hoan Kiem Lake is a unique part of Hanoi that requires continual preservation. In order to create a better environment around the lake, streets in the surrounding areas should be pedestrianised,” he added.

Traffic plans

According to Mr. Hoa, drastic measures should be taken to ensure both locals and tourists found it easy to travel.

Municipal authorities have requested local police and transportation officials to devise plans to deal with new traffic flows, he elaborated.

He said that the city plans to force heavy vehicles to only use routes outside the Old Quarter. Two two-storey parking lots will be built in Tran Nhat Duat and Tran Quang Khai for people to park before entering the Old Quarter.

Greater emphasis would have to be put on better public transport, with increased buses and taxis allowed to operate in the surrounding areas, along with construction of new parking lots, he added.

Pedestrianised streets are being touted as a way to promote Vietnamese product sales