Hanoi extends walking streets

HANOI Hanoi aims to open more walking streets in the city’s Old Quarter in Hoan Kiem district.

Local media reported Hoan Kiem district authorities have proposed nine more streets in the Hanoi Old Quarter of Hoan Kiem district to become pedestrian malls.

If the proposal is approved by the Hanoi authorities, it will be implemented next month, it said.

The new pedestrian streets include seven roads and two alleys (lanes): Hang Chieu Street, Ngo Gach Street, Nguyen Sieu Street, Dao Duy Tu Street, Hang Bac Street, Dinh Liet Street, Gia Ngu Street, Cau Go and Trung Yen alley.

These streets are in the area designated for preservation as there are many historical and cultural sites, such as O Quan Chuong (Quan Chuong Gate), the only gate of the ancient Thang Long Citadel left standing, and Thanh Ha temple General Tran Luu of the Tran Dynasty.

These streets are also home of 218 shops offering services for tourists, as well as  hotels and bars, the report said.

The streets will be connected with the existing pedestrian streets of Hang Buom, Ma May, Dao Duy Tu, Hang Giay, Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ta Hien, Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Duong and Dong Xuan.

Hanoi targets 30 million tourists by 2020, mainly domestic visitors with around 5.7 million international tourists. The annual growth rate should be around 8% to 10%.

Revenue from tourism by 2020 is projected to reach USD5.3 billion, up 15% to 17% annually. Occupancy rates at hotels are expected to average 60% to 65%.

In the first half of the year, tourist arrivals to the capital stood at 11.02 million, up 33% year-on-year, of which domestic arrivals stood at 8.97 million, up 6% year-on-year.

Total revenue from tourism reached USD1.4 billion, an increase of 24% year-on-year.

This year, Hanoi has targeted 21.17 million tourists, including 3.8 international tourists, and earnings of USD2.69 billion.

sourced:ttrweekly.com