VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City’s Party Secretary Dinh La Thang showed his support for the proposal of turning the roads of Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao, and De Tham in District, which are dubbed “Pho Tay” (the streets for foreign tourists) into pedestrian streets.

This area is home to a lot of hotels, motels, restaurants, travel centers and travel services for foreign backpackers and budget tourists. "Pho Tay" has become a familiar address and the gathering place of foreign visitors to the city.

At present, there are more than 200 travel companies, nearly 100 hotels and guest houses, dozens of restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, bars, beer clubs, billiard bars, karaoke and massage parlous along these roads to serve foreign visitors.

Therhythm in “Pho Tay” is always fast and noisy, especially at night. During the daytime, foreign visitors can travel to other places but at night, they return to “Pho Tay” to relax, entertain and experience the pavement life of Saigon. The night in “Pho Tay” is colorful in lights and colors of varied culture.

“Pho Tay” does not sleep at night, with a lot of fun, sadness and happiness in the life of Saigon.

The authorities of District 1 planto turn these streets into pedestrian roads to promote tourism services. The plan was reported to HCM City’s Party Secretary Dinh La Thang last week and received his warm support.

Thang said he would discuss the idea with the HCM City People’s Committee to immediately ban vehicles on these roads during certain times.

Linh Lan