HCMC – The HCMC Department of Transport has sent a dispatch to the municipal government proposing opening 22 more pedestrian-only streets in downtown HCMC.
The proposal is aimed at preventing vehicles from traveling to inner-city areas and boosting tourism and nighttime services, according to the department.
According to the dispatch, between 2022 and 2023, the city will open pedestrian streets on Saturdays and Sundays at the Ho Con Rua Roundabout and on Pham Ngoc Thach, Cong Xa Paris, Dong Khoi, Le Loi, Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Boi Chau streets.
During the period, the city will prioritize pedestrians and restrict vehicles on Nguyen An Ninh and Luu Van Lang streets, surrounding the Ben Thanh Market.
In the next two years, the plan to open pedestrian streets will be expanded to Lam Son Square, Dong Khoi, Nguyen Thiep, Mac Thi Buoi and Ngo Duc Ke streets.
In 2025, some other pedestrian streets will be opened on Ham Nghi Street, while limiting vehicles on Ton That Dam, Thai Van Lung and Thi Sach streets.
The funds to open these pedestrian streets will be sourced from the State budget and mobilization capital.
HCMC now has two pedestrian streets, Nguyen Hue and Bui Vien, which started operation from 2015 and 2017, respectively.
