The pilot scheme first targets to expand walking space of Hoan Kiem Lake and its vicinity, road closure will also contribute to improving Hanoi`s environment.

An event on the pedestrian space around Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: VGP 

The Hanoi People's Committee has just assigned the municipal Department of Transport to consider closing streets around Hoan Kiem Lake for traffic in one month in a move to study a long-term and overall solution for restricting vehicles entering Hanoi’s downtown, local media reported.

This is one of the proposals included in the three-year report on the pedestrian space area around Hoan Kiem Lake, which is considered the icon of Hanoi, and surrounding areas.

 Head of the Office of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dang Dinh told VnExpress that this only a pilot move. Whether the ban is effective 24/7 or in certain hours during the day will depend on the research results.

 The pilot scheme first targets to expand walking space of Hoan Kiem Lake and its vicinity. Besides, road closure will also contribute to improving the capital's environment, Dinh added.

 Hanoi to devise a plan to expand walking space

 The municipal People's Committee has assigned Hoan Kiem district to complete a plan to expand the walking space as it has become crowded.

 Once the three-year report on piloting walking space around Hoan Kiem Lake and its vicinity is completed, Hanoi’s authority will end the pilot period and officially inaugurate the walking space.

 According to the report, pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake have created a destination and a highlight of the capital city and helped diversify cultural activities, services and tourism. So far, it has received good feedback from local and international tourists.

 However, there remain issues to be addressed such as peddling, walking dogs and cats in the area, among others.

 Hoan Kiem district needs to keep studying to improve management of walking space including maintenance of trees, lawn and flowers, lighting, vending machine, water purifiers, among others.

 Besides, the Hanoi People's Committee will research traffic around the pedestrian space around Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding areas for an appropriate traffic plan.

 The municipal Department of Culture and Sports will be responsible for licensing all events around the lake. It is required to make public the annual calendar of events which will be held around the lake by October 30 every year.