Free private toilets for tourists piloted in Hanoi
This move aims to address the shortage of public restrooms, enhance sanitation, and improve the experience for tourists.
THE HANOI TIMES — For the first time in Hanoi, with the voluntary participation of food and hospitality businesses, the "Free Restroom" initiative - public toilets - was launched in Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District.
Business owners are encouraged to join the initiative to provide more convenience for tourists visiting Truc Bach Lake.
Chairman of the Truc Bach Ward People's Committee Le Tat Thanh speaks at a meeting with shop owners to get their opinions on providing free toilets. Photos: Duy Minh/The Hanoi Times
The Truc Bach Ward People's Committee helps businesses spread the word about free toilets through official portals, websites, and fan pages such as My Ba Dinh and Truc Bach 360. It is also digitizing toilet locations and updating the "free toilet" database.
The "free toilet" initiative has quickly won praise from the public and tourists. Le Thu Tra, from the northern city of Haiphong, appreciated using free toilets without having to buy services while touring Truc Bach Lake.
Most food and hospitality businesses support the initiative, a way to promote Truc Bach as a friendly, civilized place.
Before launching the initiative, the Truc Bach Ward People's Committee held meetings with business owners to gather their opinions and ensure consensus.
Most food and hospitality businesses supported the initiative. They saw it as a way to promote Truc Bach as a friendly, civilized place. So far, it has been voluntarily joined by about 20 businesses. They display a green logo and the slogan "More refreshing than at home," indicating free toilets.
Truc Bach officials say this initiative will address the lack of public toilets and improve the tourist experience.
Food and hospitality businesses display a green logo and the slogan "More refreshing than at home," indicating free toilets.
In a move that shows Hanoi is stepping up efforts to improve environmental sanitation, Chairman Tran Sy Thanh chaired a meeting in late February 2025 to review sanitation in four central districts. He encouraged businesses, including restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, and supermarkets, to open their toilets for public use. The goal is to address the shortage of toilets, prevent indiscriminate urination, and make the city cleaner.
Le Thu Tra from the northern city of Haiphong appreciates using free toilets while exploring Truc Bach.
The Truc Bach People's Committee remains committed to refining the model based on feedback and promoting a modern, civilized tourism environment.
Part of Truc Bach Ward, a destination for many foreign tourists.
