Hanoi Lake park bans vehicles

HANOI Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake (or Sword Lake) and its surrounding area will be transformed into a pedestrian zone in the evenings from Friday to Sunday starting today.

Local media reported the pedestrian zone will be effective 1900 to midnight from Fridays to Sundays.

Hanoi’s Transport Department will limit  access to commercial vehicles that are serving establishments in the zone and re-route other traffic.

It will also put up 17 traffic signs indicating “no-entry” while adding 23 remote traffic control posts to prevent possible congestion.

The city also plans to open 78 parking lots covering 17,000 square metres that can accommodate 87 passenger buses, 600 cars, and over 2,700 bikes and motorbikes for those who are visiting the pedestrian zone.

Currently, Hanoi operates several pedestrian zones in its famous Old Quarter, including Hang Buom, Ma May, Hang Giay, Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ta Hien, Dao Duy Tu, Hang Dao, Hang Duong, and Dong Xuan.

Also effective today, there is free Wi-Fi access in areas surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake.

Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the heart of the capital, just a few minutes walk from the Old Quarter.

In the first half of this 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.