Hanoi’s Tay Ho District authorities announced that the Trinh Cong Son Street would undergo test pedestrianisation.    

Trinh Cong Son Street to be pedestrianised

The opening days will be from May 11 to 13.

The project is hoped to be as successful as the pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake and become another opportunity to use public space.

Nguyen Dinh Khuyen, vice chairman of Tay Ho District, said preparations were 95% complete. The authorities have met and gathered opinions from the locals in order to adjust the plan. 

The project was proposed in 2015 and was supposed to be opened in last August with activities including street food and street performances. It was postponed to October 10, 2017, to mark the anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day but still couldn't meet the date.

Locals complained that the kiosks, that were supposed to look like old houses, blocked their houses and made the street looks bad. They then raised concerns about litter and noise pollution when the street was pedestrianised.

Khuyen said they had worked and dealt with the complaints. The old kiosks have been removed and replaced with mobile kiosks. They also persuaded the locals that pedestrianising the street would help promote the district and create a shared public space in which everyone would benefit.

Trinh Cong Son Street will be pedestrianised from 7.30 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There are 50 to 60 kiosks planned for the street but only 15 will be opened for the pilot programme which will last until the end of 2018. Most of them are traditional craft and food vendors that introduce signature foods of Hanoi such as green rice or shrimp cake.

Performers can register to play on the street and the authorities will set up a stage for various activities. The area will be divided into areas for traditional, modern and the music by songwriter Trinh Cong Son. It is hoped to be a tourist attraction when the lotus flowers bloom in May in the West Lake.

Many well-known singers have been invited to the opening night including Hong Nhung, Minh Quan and Nguyen Ngoc Anh.

Dtinews/Nhipsonghanoi