Hanoi will begin renting nearly 900 sidewalks in the first quarter of 2025 for commerce and urban order purposes in a broader project on sidewalk management, according to the Hanoi Department of Construction.

Food stalls on the sidewalk of Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hanoi. Photo: Lai Tan/The Hanoi Times

The department is gathering feedback on the project from relevant stakeholders, based on the principle that streets and sidewalks should primarily serve transportation needs, while also accommodating parking and supporting urban economic development, including tourism and the nighttime economy.

The Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology and consulting experts surveyed 273 streets and 899 sidewalks based on suggestions from 17 districts and cities. The results showed that over 90% of the surveyed streets have restaurants and small businesses, about 94% of the sidewalks are encroached, and only 24% have paths for people with disabilities.

Following the survey, the Hanoi Department of Construction has outlined six criteria for renting sidewalks. First, sidewalks must be at least three meters wide to accommodate pedestrians, technical infrastructure, and space for business and vehicle parking (narrower sidewalks are allowed for rent in the Old Quarter).

Other criteria include ensuring that sidewalks can accommodate the parking. For sidewalks wider than four meters without businesses, local authorities may allow motorcycle parking based on local demand, while ensuring a minimum 1.5 meter wide strip reserved for pedestrians.

District officials are required to consult with residents in areas designated for sidewalk rentals to reach consensus and existing businesses in those locations are given priority for rentals. Permits are issued for six months to one year, with business hours adjusted to local conditions to ensure safety and traffic flow.

Rental fees will range from VND20,000 to VND40,000 (US$0.8-US$1.6) per square meter per month, as specified in Resolution No. 6 dated July 7, 2020, subject to adjustment by the City People's Council.

Currently, Hoan Kiem is the only district in Hanoi that has allowed sidewalk rentals for businesses since 2021. Rental locations are mainly cafes and fast food restaurants, with a fee of VND45,000 ($1.7) per square meter per month and a six-month temporary permit.

The sidewalk rental program is now in place on several streets in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1. After six months of pilot, the district expanded the program to 52 streets, up 78%.