Hanoi’s authorities have planned to open a pedestrian area around Thien Quang Lake in Hai Ba Trung district to boost tourism.

The pedestrianized sections of Tran Nhan Tong street, Quang Trung street (from Thien Quang Lake to Tran Binh Trong street) and surrounding locations together with Thong Nhat Park will make up a large walking space.

If the plan is approved, it will be the third area for pedestrians in the city. The first one has been opened around Hoan Kiem Lake since 2004 and the second one in Tay Ho district.

Thien Quang Lake in Hai Ba Trung district. Photo: Zing

At a meeting with Hai Ba Trung district’s authorities on January 20, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue agreed with the district’s proposal on establishing the new pedestrian street.

Speaking at a meeting with Hai Ba Trung district’s authorities in the city this week, Hanoi Party Secretary Vuong Dinh Hue said that the plan needs to be carried out soon in order to help spur the night-time economy as well as improving urban environment.

The capital city opened its pedestrian space at the weekends, covering five streets. It was recently expanded to 20 streets around the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter.

Meanwhile, Tay Ho is the second district that pedestrianized its streets. Trinh Cong Son Street (almost a kilometer, which runs from the Lac Long Quan crossing) has been closed to traffic on weekends for pedestrians and night activities in mid-2018.

In 2016, Thanh Xuan district also planned to pedestrianize street for night and trade services. Nguyen Quy Duc, the street in question, is expected to become a weekend walking space in early 2017; however, the date has been postponed and little progress for this scheme has been made so far.