Hanoi’s new walking streets set to open with festive activities

The newly opened pedestrian areas around Hanoi’s iconic Hoan Kiem Lake are set to thrill visitors with an array of activities starting tomorrow, September 1.

The inauguration ceremony for the new walking streets, also intended to celebrate Vietnam’s National Day on September 2, is scheduled for Thursday evening with traditional performances, Duong Duc Tuan, chairman of Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee, said on Tuesday.

Hanoi has decided to turn a number of streets into walking streets from next month.

The new pedestrian streets include Dinh Tien Hoan, Le Lai, Le Thach, Dinh Le, Nguyen Xi, Trang Tien, Hang Khay, Le Thai To, Lo Su, Hang Dau, Tran Nguyen Han, Luong Van Can, Bao Khanh, Trang Thi, Hang Trong streets, and areas surrounding Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and Hoan Kiem Lake.

They add to the existing ones in the famous Hanoi Old Quarter, including Hang Buom, Ma May, Hang Giay, Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ta Hien, Dao Duy Tu, Hang Dao, Hang Duong, and Dong Xuan.

The new walking venues are to be open from 7:00 pm to midnight from Friday through Sunday, according to the capital city’s administration.

The walking streets (red) around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi

The series of activities to mark the opening of the new walking streets and National Day celebration will feature bookstands at the Bat Giac (Octagonal) Building and traditional games at areas including the Temple of the Jade Mountain and Ba Kieu Temple.

Traditional performances, namely ca tru singing (northern ceremonial singing) and cheo (northern traditional music and stage performance), and art exhibitions are set to serve visitors at the Ly Thai To King Statue, the gardens at Ba Kieu Temple, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, The Huc Bridge, and more.

Water puppetry shows will also be presented to entertain younger spectators.

Free Wi-Fi access is also available in areas surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake, via the free Wi-Fi name “UBNDHANOI,” according to the service provider, VNPT Hanoi.

Users will be automatically logged out after 30 minutes, the telecom firm said, adding that they will then need to search the Wi-Fi spot again to continue using the service.

The mandatory closing time for service-oriented businesses in Hanoi has been extended to 2:00 am from Friday to Sunday, according to the municipal administration.