According to the Steering Committee of Hoan Kiem pedestrian space, the weekend walking space around Hoan  Kiem Lake will be enlarged to the south, connecting some streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter area to Hoan Kiem Lake.

A cultural event was organised at Hoan Kiem pedestrian space/ Photo: Lai Tan

The weekend pedestrian space including Hanoi’s Old Quarter, the area around Hoan Kiem lake and its vicinity has been opened since 2004. It was initially aimed at encouraging people to walk instead of gluing themselves to the motorbike seat, as well as creating spaces for community activities, fostering trade, services, tourism and cultural exchange.

However, it is still difficult to stroll from the Hoan Kiem lake to the Old Quarter without being interrupted by traffic as these two areas are not connected to form one walking space. 

The expansion of walking space to the south of Hanoi’s Old Quarter area will create one pedestrian zone on the weekends, satisfying the need for a larger space for visitors to promenade, go shopping, enjoy food and  cultural activities in Hanoi downtown.

Accordingly, eight streets and three alleys will be pedestrianized, starting from January 1, 2021, including the streets of Hang Dau, Cau Go, Hang Be, Hang Bac, Dinh Liet, Gia Ngu, Dao Duy Tu (the section from Cho Gao to Quan Chuong Gate), Quan Chuong Gate (including O Quan Chuong street and Hang Chieu - Thanh Ha crossroads area);  and Cau Go, Trung Yen, Phat Loc alleys.

The pedestrian area is opened three nights on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), from 7pm to 12am in the summer and from 6pm to 12pm in the winter.

Besides, cultural and historical sites in the area will open until midnight; art performances will also be organized regularly at some venues such as Quan Chuong Gate (for Vietnamese traditional music performance). Dinh Liet - Gia Ngu crossroads (for contemporary music performance); Kim Ngan Temple (at No. 42-44 Hang Bac - for traditional music performance).