>> Hanoi\'s Old Quarter to undergo trial pedestrianisation
Ho Chi Minh City has plans in the works to turn three busy areas into tourist-friendly street markets.
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| Vendors will be given stalls on pedestrianised streets |
According to the municipal Department of Planning and Architecture, the first area slated to be revamped is between Tran Hung Dao, Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien; an area with many small hotels and restaurants.
The second will be Ben Thanh Market, along with some of the surrounding roads. Ben Thanh currently functions as a market with a number of small shops.
The third is to consist of a few roads in the city centre, including Ham Nghi, Nguyen Hue, Le Loi and Dong Khoi, a location with many luxury hotels and restaurants, as well as cultural and historic landmarks, such as Notre Dame Cathedral and Independence Place.
Among those, the Ben Thanh Market area will be the centre with metro routes and bus stops, therefore, visitors can easily come to the two remaining areas for their entertainment activities.
The Department of Planning and Architecture hopes that these markets will help contain vending activities in tourist areas so they can be controlled and not affect the city\'s aesthetics.
Hanoi municipal authorities have also proposed to pedestrianise large areas of Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. Nguyen Quoc Hoa, Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee said from this year, Hang Buom, Ma May, and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets would be pedestrianised during weekends, a plan that, if successful, would be then spread to other streets in Hoan Kiem District.
