Hanoi to launch 4th pedestrian zone

An 820-meter-long, pedestrian zone around the ancient citadel in Son Tay town, 40 kilometers from downtown Hanoi, is set to open on the occasion of Reunification Day on April 30.

The zone will consist of four streets Nguyen Thai Hoc, Phan Chu Trinh, and a part of Le Loi and Pho Duc Chinh streets.

The pedestrian area is expected to open from 7pm on Saturday until noon on Sunday with contemporary art performances, street music, folk dances, portrait painting, sketching, calligraphy, boat racing, fishing and water puppetry.

This is the fourth pedestrian zone to be unveiled in the capital, following those around Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter and Trinh Cong Son street.

Hanoi debuted its first walking street in Hoan Kiem district in 2004, which covered only five streets at the time. Since 2021, the zone has been expanded to cover a much larger area, including dozens of streets near the iconic Sword (Hoan Kiem) Lake and Old Quarter.

The walking street re-opened on March 18 with health requirements in place after nearly a year of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Old Quarter composes the second walking zone, while the third is the 900-meter Trinh Cong Son street in Tay Ho district, adjacent to a lotus lagoon.

Officially put into operation in May 2018, Trinh Cong Son pedestrian street opens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.