CATEGORIES

© Copyright 2004; Hanoitimes - Economic and Urban Newspaper;

The tribune of Hanoi People’s Committee

Publication Permit: 29/GP-CBC

Editor - in - Chief: Nguyen Thanh Loi

Managing Editor: Ta Thu Giang

Email : thugiang@hanoitimes.vn

Head Office: 21 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi

Branch Office: 221 Tran Phu Street, Ha Dong District, Hanoi

WORDS ON THE STREET 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
Home / Travel / Tours
Hoi An to pedal towards eco-city status
Vov/Hanoitimes 09:37, 2014/02/14
The central city of Hoi An will promote the use of bicycles this year as part of a plan to build the city into the first eco-city in Vietnam.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Truong Van Bay told Vietnam News that the city has launched a series of programmes on environmental protection to be used as tourism attractions.

Further, the bicycle has been selected as the favourite vehicle for tourists visiting destinations in the city, suburbs and beaches.

"We encourage local people to use more environmentally friendly vehicles, such as bicycles and battery-powered bicycles, and to walk as they carry out their daily activities in order to keep the city clean and healthy. The city has gradually limited the use of motorbikes in old quarters, prior to banning motorbikes in these areas," Bay said, adding that motorbikes are only permitted for use at lunch time.

"Since 2002, the city has successfully operated a pedestrian street in the old quarter and hosted Nature Day for the past four years," he says.

 
According to Nguyen Van Hien, head of the city's natural resources and environment office, bicycles are now used by most women and children in the city.

"They (women and children) prefer riding bicycles to markets and schools, and around the city downtown. The old quarter is almost quiet with pedestrians and bikes during the day," Hien said, adding that evening and night time is only for pedestrians traveling in the old town.

Reiko Usuda, a Japanese woman who has lived in the city for four years, said the environmentally friendly vehicle is her daily means of transportation.

"It's easy to ride on bicycles while touring around the old quarter or buying something from the market. As the radius from the city's downtown to destinations is under 5km, bicycle helps save money and provide a healthy lifestyle," Reiko said.

Most foreign tourists use bicycles while touring the city, beaches and villages during their visits to Hoi An city.

The People's Committee plans to promote bicycle use among public agencies on Car Free Day in March before boosting their use among local residents.

"Changing a habit of using motorbikes needs time. The city will target using 100,000 bicycles among local people," Vice Chairman Bay said.

The ancient city has been the first city in Vietnam hosting a Car Free Day, in an effort to make the environment cleaner in the tourism hub.

It has also launched an action programme to stop using plastic bags and the 3-R (reduce, reuse and recycle) programme.

Last year, this UNESCO-recognised world heritage city debuted its solar power public lighting system along the city's Hoai River Square.

Also, Hoi An has been chosen for the 2013 Townscape Award by the UN-Habitat Regional Office in Asia.
Comments
Other news
10:06, 2024/08/31
Self-drive tours become more popular in Hanoi
The "close to home" trend can be seen in the rise of self-driving and local travel this summer.
20:31, 2024/07/17
Hanoi's camping attracts visitors seeking nature experiences
Camping in Hanoi has become increasingly trendy among urban families in recent years, adding to the appeal of the city's tourism.
21:14, 2024/06/03
Summer travel trend: Vietnamese tourists opt for nearby destinations
Due to the high cost of air tickets, many people choose to travel by train, car or fly to regional countries.
15:04, 2024/02/02
Ngoc Son Temple night tour launched in Hanoi
The real-life program is based on real historical data and legends that have been passed down and carried on at the Ngoc Son Temple for centuries.
23:41, 2024/01/17
First music album inspired by Temple of Literature released
This is an artistic product of the Temple of Literature's night tour experience program.
16:10, 2023/12/31
New routes to explore heritage road in Hanoi
These routes are expected to be a premise for travel businesses to build new tours connecting localities.