According to Chung, the pedestrian street has become a magnet for both domestic and foreign visitors with some 3,000-5,000 people during the day, and 15,000-20,000 in the evening.
Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung
The pedestrian street helped to increase tourists to Hoan Kiem District to 2.18 million in 2018 compared to just 1.36 million in 2016 and 1.95 million in 2017. District tourism revenues in 2019 were estimated at VND9.74 trillion (USD426 million) compared to VND8.89 trillion last year and VND7 trillion in 2017.
Over the past three years, around 410 large-scale cultural events were held in the pedestrianised area, attracting the participation of 20 cities and provinces nationwide and many foreign agencies and organisations.
Chung added that the pedestrian area had become a key tourism product. The city decided to officially put the street into the operation from January 1, 2020.
Hoan Kiem pedestrian street
He, however, added that the pedestrian street space still sees many problems such as congestion at some parking areas and illegal vendors.
The chairman asked Hoan Kiem authorities to deal with overcharging and jams at parking areas, the shortage of toilets and littering in the area.
Hoan Kiem District has also been urged to quickly implement projects to upgrade facilities around Hoan Kiem Lake such as Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and Ly Thai To Flower Garden and call on agencies and households around the lake to hang flower baskets on their balconies.
The municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been required to raise the quality of cultural and art shows in the pedestrian space to promote the city’s tourism.
