The Ngoc Khanh pedestrian street, located in Ba Dinh District, was developed with an investment of nearly $1.2 million and officially opened in October 2024. However, since its launch, the street has suffered from a lack of visitors, often appearing quiet and empty.

By 8 p.m., cafes and food stalls line the street, ready for business, yet the atmosphere remains eerily quiet.

Situated along a scenic lake, the pedestrian street was expected to boost commercial and service activities in the area, contributing to Ba Dinh District’s economic growth. However, local business owners report that the lack of entertainment options has made the street less attractive.

“There’s nothing for people to do here,” said Ta Tram Anh, a café owner. “Most people don’t want to park their motorbikes outside just to walk in and buy a drink. Ironically, we have fewer customers on weekends than on weekdays.”

Only a handful of families and local residents can be seen jogging or strolling along the lakeside.

On the evening of March 14, despite the cool and comfortable weather, the number of visitors remained sparse. Most were tourists staying at nearby hotels or passersby rather than people intentionally visiting the pedestrian street.

Just weeks after opening, the street was already criticized for being underwhelming, with low foot traffic. Now, more than six months later, the situation has not improved.

In the evening, elderly groups gather by the lakeside to rest after their exercise. Meanwhile, some motorbikes still make their way through the area, despite restrictions. When asked, riders explained they live nearby, although official barricades and security guards are positioned at both ends of the pedestrian street.

Rows of parked motorbikes crowd Pham Huy Thong Street, which is officially part of the pedestrian zone. Adding to the problem, some areas within the walking street have become informal garbage collection points, creating an eyesore.

Ngoc Khanh’s business and pedestrian zone officially opened on October 11. Every weekend, from 6 p.m. on Friday until midnight on Sunday, the entire Ngoc Khanh Lake area, Pham Huy Thong Street, and eight connecting alleyways leading to Kim Ma, Nguyen Chi Thanh, and La Thanh streets are closed off for pedestrian use. However, with few visitors and limited attractions, the pedestrian street’s future remains uncertain.

Thach Thao