The Hoan Kiem District People's Committee has announced that the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake will be closed during the Tet  (Lunar New Year) festival.

During the weekend, the roads around Hoan Kiem Lake are closed to traffic and are pedestrian only.

The closure will take place during the two-week weekend from February 9 to February 23. It will be reopened to pedestrians at 7:00 p.m. on the weekend beginning February 23, or the 14th day of the first month of the Lunar New Year.

The decision aims to ensure smooth traffic during the holiday.

On New Year's Eve, city authorities plan to set up two fireworks launch sites at Hoan Kiem Lake, one in front of the Hanoi Post Office and the other in front of the HaNoiMoi newspaper building.

The district people's committee urges subordinate units and authorities to take strong measures and crack down on violations in environmental protection, fire prevention and traffic accidents to ensure the safety of people and travelers during the holiday.

The Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian zone consists of Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Thai To and Hang Khay streets surrounding the lake, as well as nearby streets in the Old Quarter.

The zone was opened on September 1, 2016 and expanded later in 2020. The walking area opens every week from 19:00 on Friday to 12:00 on Sunday.

It has been the area for several cultural and entertaining activities, attracting thousands of visitors every weekend.