Pedestrian streets have recently become tidier, with shop signs and goods along key roads such as Nguyen Thai Hoc, Tran Phu, Bach Dang and Le Loi moved closer to building fronts and more merchandise brought indoors.
Most traders have voluntarily complied with the new guidelines, even without enforcement officers, helping improve the streetscape.
At an April 3 meeting, officials said enforcement would be carried out in a “reasonable and flexible” manner, stressing that the ward does not intend to eliminate street vending but will designate specific areas within the old town.
Nguyen Duc Binh said Hoi An remains the core of a living heritage city, where dense tourism and commercial activity present management challenges. He added that reorganising street trading would improve urban order while preserving the town’s distinctive character.
Authorities noted that street vending is both a vital source of income for residents and an integral part of the cultural experience that defines Hoi An.
A public awareness campaign will run until April 30, after which violations will be handled more strictly, supported by long term monitoring, including surveillance cameras.
