Hanoi has approved continued enforcement of a pilot scheme, proposed by the Department of Construction, that bars large vehicles from the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake during peak hours.
The city also instructed relevant agencies to study options for enlarging the restricted zone in line with actual conditions to maintain traffic order, improve safety and reduce congestion in Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam wards.
From March 1 to August 31, the Department of Construction piloted a ban on vehicles with more than 16 seats, excluding buses and school shuttles, during morning peak hours (6.30 am -8.30 am) and afternoon peak hours (4.30 pm-6.30 pm).
The ban applied to streets on the eastern side of the Old Quarter, including the section of Dinh Tien Hoang from Hang Dau to Hang Dao, and nearby routes such as Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Hang Duong, Dong Xuan and Hang Giay.
Restrictions also covered streets leading into the Old Quarter from Hang Dau, Tran Nhat Duat (between Hang Dau and Nguyen Huu Huan) and Nguyen Huu Huan.
Additional affected streets included Quang Trung (from Trang Thi to Nha Chung), Nha Chung, Ly Quoc Su, Nha Tho, Hang Trong, Au Trieu, Bao Khanh, and the Hang Hanh and Bao Khanh alleys.
Large passenger vehicles in the Old Quarter are considered a major source of congestion and pollution (Photo by Thanh Dong)
According to the Department of Construction, residents and tourists have responded positively to the peak-hour restrictions, with most vehicles complying and avoiding the banned streets.
As a result, traffic flow in the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake has improved, with no major conflicts or severe peak-hour congestion reported.
