The Ngoc Khanh Lake area will be pedestrianized on weekends, according to the latest decision of the Ba Dinh District People's Committee.

Lush green around Ngoc Khanh Lake in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Them

According to the plan, the pedestrianization project has a total investment of nearly VND30 billion (nearly US$1.2 million), which will be funded from the district's budget. The investor is the Ba Dinh District Project Management Board.

For the pedestrianization of the Ngoc Khanh lake shore, the district authorities will improve the technical infrastructure, increase the stormwater drainage capacity, and ensure urban aesthetics.

More various services will be provided in the area of Ngoc Khanh Lake and its surroundings, together with paving roads, sidewalks and promenades with stones; planting more trees to ensure a density of one tree per 5m2 as well as installing benches, trash cans, public toilets, lighting and the pedestrian street welcome gate.

The pedestrian mall is expected to open before October 10, the 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day.

The Ngoc Khanh pedestrian mall will be the second in the district and the 7th in the city. From 2016 to 2022, the city launched five major pedestrian streets in the districts of Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, Ba Dinh, Tay Ho, and Son Tay.

The development of pedestrian zones is part of the City Party Committee's Program No. 3 on Urban Remodeling, Development and Economic Growth of the City for 2021-2025.