Cities adopt a stick and carrot approach to clear pavements

Hà Nội ideal: green and civilised

Architect Trần Ngọc Chính, Chairman of Việt Nam Urban Planning and Development, spoke to the newspaper Kinh Tế & Đô thị (Economic and Urban Affairs) about the need for tough policies in urban planning and management

Parties not key to closeness with neighbours Two weeks ago, the New York Times reported a story about George Bell, a 72-year-old man who died alone and unseen in his own apartment.

What being a pedestrian means in Viet Nam Rather than words of encouragement, they became a tool for intimidation when a Western man shouted at a Vietnamese girl riding her bike on a street in the Old Quarter, where motorbikes are banned from travelling between 7pm and 11pm on weekends.

Straightening up Ha Noi's pavements This year, the city of Ha Noi once again has made its fight against the illegal use of pavements a high priority on its agenda, a battle many from both sides of the street doubt can be won, citing countless failures in the past.