HÀ NỘI – Hà Nội Police Department has proposed banning all vehicles from operating in the area around Hoàn Kiếm Lake during weekends to create more space for pedestrians.

Colonel Đào Vịnh Thắng, head of Hà Nội Traffic Police Department, said Hoàn Kiếm Lake was a cultural and historical site that attracted both locals and tourists. Thus, the creation of a quiet environment for pedestrians, free from the noise and dust of vehicles, would help visitors enjoy the lake view.

Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Lê Thái Tổ and Hàng Khay will be reserved for pedestrians accordingly.

Explaining the need for the ban on weekends, Thắng said there was heavy traffic in the area from Monday to Friday, and it only decreased over the weekend. Thus, the ban should only be applied during the weekends to allow more foot traffic, he said.

The ban has received support from the city’s police department. The proposal has been submitted to the city’s People’s Committee for approval.

Lê Ngọc Lân, a resident of Hàng Mã Street, said the ban was a great idea as it would create a peaceful environment for those who love walking around the lake like he does.

“I walk around the lake every day as a way of exercising and reducing stress. However, the noise of vehicles and the smoke they discharge is really annoying, especially when I take a seat in front of the lake,” he said.

The problem, Lân said, was to arrange for parking lots for visitors and to manage them well to avoid overcharging for tickets. This sometimes happened in the pedestrian streets of the Old Quarter due to the modest number of parking lots.

Ten pedestrian streets have been opened in the Old Quarter of Hà Nội since 2004, and these have become popular places for visitors to experience the street life of the capital. – VNS