Hanoi bans vehicles with over 16 seats in Old Quarter from March 1.
The restricted hours are from 6:30 am to 8:30 am and from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. After six months, authorities will evaluate the effectiveness of the policy and report to the city for further consideration.
The affected routes include the Hang Giay – Dong Xuan – Hang Duong – Hang Ngang – Hang Dao – Dinh Tien Hoang streets; the Hang Dau – Tran Nhat Duat – Nguyen Huu Huan streets leading into the Old Quarter, as well as streets such as Ly Quoc Su, Nha Tho, Nha Chung, Quang Trung, Au Trieu, Bao Khanh, Hang Trong, Ngo Hang Hanh, and Ngo Bao Khanh.
To facilitate residents and tourists, the city will establish four transit points on Ba Trieu, Tran Nhat Duat, Phung Hung, and near Dong Xuan Market. The transit vehicles used will be non-fossil fuel-powered.
According to the Department of Transport, restricting vehicles with over 16 seats in these areas aims to reduce congestion in the Old Quarter, especially during peak hours, while improving air quality, lowering emissions, protecting public health, and preserving a more liveable environment.
In mid-2024, during a meeting ahead of the municipal People's Council session, voters from Hoan Kiem District raised concerns over large tour buses, particularly 45-seater coaches, causing traffic congestion, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. They proposed the city allocate land outside the Red River dyke or other locations for parking, and organise small shuttle buses operating from 5:00 to 8:00 am and from 4:00 to 8:00 pm to transport passengers, thereby reducing traffic density in the Old Quarter.
In response, Chairman of the Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee, Pham Tuan Long, stated that the district had proposed restricting large vehicles from entering the Old Quarter and limiting bus routes crossing the area to alleviate congestion.
The district leader also noted that since the introduction of pedestrian streets, some congestion hotspots have emerged during weekends. The district has been working with relevant authorities to refine traffic organisation, including setting up static traffic zones at the Opera House Garden and 1 May Square, adjusting local congestion points, and increasing the presence of small buses in the district’s centre.
The Old Quarter spans approximately 80 hectares and comprises 10 wards: Hang Dao, Hang Bac, Hang Gai, Hang Bo, Hang Bong, Hang Buom, Hang Ma, Cua Dong, Dong Xuan, and Ly Thai To. Hoan Kiem Lake covers around 12 hectares and is encircled by Dinh Tien Hoang, Ly Thai To, and Hang Khay streets.
