Hanoi authorities have decided to delay opening nine more pedestrian areas in the Old Quarter in Hoan Kiem District. The decision came after the city decided to review and resolve shortcomings in walking streets in the area and those recently piloted near Hoan Kiem Lake.
The People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem District will work to improve the quality of the existing pedestrian areas through managing hotels, restaurants, free wifi zones and other services in the area. The district authority was asked to address issues relating to hawking, environmental sanitation, quality of services and products, and tourism instruction, and focus on upgrading infrastructure facilities.
Previously, the district proposed launching more pedestrian areas in the Old Quarter, including Hang Chieu, Nguyen Sieu, Dao Duy Tu (from Hang Buom to Hang Chieu), Hang Bac, Dinh Liet, and Gia Ngu, and Cau Go, Gach and Trung Yen alleys. These streets are expected to help promote cultural and historical values, cuisine, architecture, and tourism in the Old Quarter and areas surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake, and promote walking and the use of public transport in the city.
Hanoi closed 11 more streets surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake to traffic earlier September, including Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Lai, Le Thach, Dinh Le, Nguyen Xi, Trang Tien (from Ngo Quyen to Dinh Tien Hoang), Hang Khay, Le Thai To, Hang Trong (from street Joseph’s Cathedral to Le Thai To), Nha Tho and the Cathedral square.
This area preserved many historical and cultural monuments such as: O Quan Chuong Gate - the only gate of the ancient Thang Long has been preserved, Thanh Ha Church. Moreover, commercial operations, services, tourism here is quite vibrant, with 218 business households for the commercial and service sector, gifts, foods and beverage, hotels and bars.
When built into walking area, the 9 streets combined with the city's pedestrian streets that have been held previously, including: Hang Buom, Ma May, Dao Duy Tu, Hang Giay, Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ta Hien, Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Duong and Dong Xuan to create consistency and promote the advantages of cultural values, cuisine and trade service for visitors.
