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On the afternoon of December 24th, the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee announced that the expansion of pedestrian zones will be piloted starting this weekend (the evening of December 25th) and officially implemented from January 1st, 2021.
The expanded area includes the streets of Dinh Liet, Gia Ngu, Cau Go, Hang Be, Hang Dau, Hang Bac, Dao Duy Tu, O Quan Chuong; and the three alleys of Cau Go, Trung Yen, and Phat Loc. Currently, these streets are outside the Ho Guom pedestrian zone, and cars and motorbikes circulate normally. When they become pedestrian zones, motorized vehicles will be prohibited from Friday evening until midnight on Sunday each week.
Pedestrian zone around Ho Guom Lake
Hoan Kiem District has planned for the main business sectors serving residents and pedestrian tourists to be located on Gia Ngu Street and Cau Go Alley, focusing on high-end restaurants; Hang Be Street for handicrafts and tourism; Dao Duy Tu and Cau Go Streets for general stores and food; Dinh Liet and Hang Dau Streets for general stores, clothing, and shoes; and Hang Bac Street specializing in jewelry and other existing businesses...
Historical and cultural sites in the area will be open to visitors during the pedestrian street's operating hours. The O Quan Chuong area will be the center for organizing cultural activities and festivals for tourists.
The authorities have allocated 156 parking areas covering over 34,000 square meters to ensure parking spaces for residents and tourists. Residents living within the pedestrian zone can park their vehicles for free under the Chương Dương bridge or are permitted to bring their vehicles inside their houses. Authorities manage parking by issuing parking passes to residents.
According to the leaders of Hoan Kiem district, expanding the pedestrian area south of Hanoi's Old Quarter, connecting with Hoan Kiem Lake and its surroundings, will "combine values, create a connection between the two pedestrian areas, and meet the needs of residents and tourists."
Eight streets and three alleys (marked in green) became pedestrian zones from January 1, 2021.
Previously, in 2004, Hoan Kiem district implemented the pedestrian street project Hang Dao – Hang Ngang – Hang Duong – Dong Xuan – Hang Giay, combined with the development of commerce, services, and tourism in the Old Quarter.
In 2014, pedestrian zones were expanded to include six more streets in the Grade I protected area – Hanoi's Old Quarter (Hang Buom, Ma May, Dao Duy Tu, Hang Giay, Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ta Hien).
By 2016, the pedestrian zone was further expanded with the city implementing a pedestrian area around Hoan Kiem Lake and its vicinity. The expanded area now included 16 streets: Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Lai (section 2 from Dinh Tien Hoang to Ly Thai To), Le Thach, Dinh Le, Nguyen Xi, Trang Tien (section from Ngo Quyen to Dinh Tien Hoang), Hang Khay, Le Thai To, Lo Su (from Hang Dau to Dinh Tien Hoang), Hang Dau (from Lo Su to Dinh Tien Hoang), Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square area, Tran Nguyen Han (from Dinh Tien Hoang to Ly Thai To), Hoan Kiem Lake Street, Luong Van Can (from Hang Hanh to Le Thai To), Bao Khanh (from Bao Khanh alley to Le Thai To), and Hang Bai (from Hai Ba Trung to Trang Tien).
