VietNamNet Bridge – The pedestrian space around Hoan Kiem (Returned Sword) Lake will not be expanded to the Old Quarter area.

Hanoi’s pedestrian space will not be expanded anytime soon. – Photo zing.vn

City head Nguyen Duc Chung rejected the expansion proposal of Hoan Kiem District authorities at a recent conference.

According to Chung, Ha Noi People’s Committee recognised the district’s efforts in improving the condition of pedestrian streets, but he said it was currently impossible to expand the space up to the Old Quarter area. Instead, the district authorities must invest to organise more attractive cultural activities and promote the Vietnamese tradition among tourists, he said, noting that trade violations and noise pollution required urgent attention.

“As soon as the district authorities take proper action to address the more pressing issues, the city People’s Committee will consider the expansion of pedestrian streets,” the conference report said.

At an earlier press conference on November 14, 2017, Dinh Hong Phong, deputy head of Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee, said the pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake connected with the Old Quarter area, creating a landmark for the capital city.

After one year of piloting, pedestrian streets now welcome up to 70,000 visitors a day.

“We are researching to open up the walking space to the streets of Dinh Liet, Gia Ngu, Cau Go, Hang Be, etc.,” Phong told zing.vn.

Pedestrian zones around Hoan Kiem Lake officially opened on September 1, which include ten streets of Hang Buom, Ma May, Dao Duy Tu, Hang Giay, Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ta Hien, Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Duong and Dong Xuan.

These streets are open to the public from Friday night to Sunday night. The timings are 7pm to 12pm in summer and 6pm to 12pm in winter. All shops and bars in the zone remain open until 2am. 

Source: VNS