VietNamNet Bridge – The HCMC government will do all what it can convert Nguyen Hue Boulevard in District 1 into a square for pedestrians only in April next year after it got approval from the Government to appoint an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for the project.

Work has begun on the first phase of a project to turn a Nguyen Hue Boulevard section into a pedestrian- only square

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has allowed the city’s chairman to select an EPC contractor for the project if this contractor has capacity and experience to ensure the progress and quality of the project.

Le Quyet Thang, director of Urban Traffic Management Unit No. 1 under the HCMC Department of Transport, said work has started on the first phase of the project, the section from Le Thanh Ton to Le Loi streets, and is scheduled for completion in March next year.

The second section from Le Loi Boulevard and Ton Duc Thang Street will get off the ground early next month after the city government has chosen the EPC contractor. The city will inaugurate the square in April next year when the reunification of the country is celebrated.

After the project is finished, the entire Nguyen Hue Boulevard will become a pedestrian-only square that is 670 meters long and 64 meters wide. In addition to the upgrade of the boulevard and its pavements, the project consists of building and relocating water supply and drainage, power supply and public lighting systems, trees, and public restrooms among others.

The project requires total investment capital of VND428 billion.

In order to ease traffic in the downtown area, the city government has decided not to build underground parking lots around Nguyen Hue Boulevard and Ton Duc Thang Street but will consider parking lot projects under Le Loi and Ham Nghi boulevards and near Quach Thi Trang Roundtable in front of Ben Thanh Market.

Hanoi to have 6 more pedestrian streets on weekends

Hanoi will make six more pedestrians only streets during weekends beginning October 3, said Nguyen Cong Khoi, party secretary of Hoan Kiem District.

Dong Xuan Pedestrian Street

These streets will include Hang Buom, Hang Giay, Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ma May, Dao Duy Tu and Ta Hien.

The move is aimed at creating more open space for tourists and help the cultural environment of the old quarter, particularly in terms of food.

According to the Hanoi People’s Committee, business activities on the sidewalks will be banned to make walking easier for tourists.

The committee also licensed several parking lots covering a total area of 648 square metres to facilitate the increased parking demand.

In April this year, Dong Xuan Joint Stock Company piloted the project to make these six streets pedestrian only. They found that the project would be feasible and had strong public support.

The Department of Transport has been asked to improve the road surface of these streets.

SGT/dantri