22 more downtown HCMC streets to become walking-only

The city Department of Transport has proposed to the people’s committee that the Cong Truong Quoc Te Roundabout in District 1 and sections of Pham Ngoc Thach, Cong xa Paris, Dong Khoi, Phan Chu Trinh, and Phan Boi Chau should be made pedestrians-only streets by 2023.

Access to Nguyen An Ninh and Luu Van Lang streets is soon set to be limited for vehicles.

Dong Khoi in HCMC’s District 1 is planned to be pedestrians-only street. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

By 2025 the vehicle ban will be expanded to sections of Dong Khoi, Lam Son Square, Le Loi, Nguyen Thiep, Mac Thi Buoi, and Ngo Duc Ke streets.

In this time period, HCMC would also restrict vehicle access to prioritize pedestrians on other sections of Mac Thi Buoi and Ngo Duc Ke, and other sections of Dong Du, Ho Huan Nghiep, Phan Van Dat, and Ton Duc Thang.

By 2025 there would be more pedestrians-only sections on Ham Nghi Street and limited vehicle access to sections of Ton That Dam, Thai Van Lung and Thi Sach streets to prioritize pedestrians.

These pedestrians-only streets will revolve around the metro No. 1 line, which is expected to become operational by the end of 2023.

To make the plan successful, the city has proposed measures such as street renovations, traffic adjustments, increasing public transport connectivity, and organizing events to attract tourists.

People watch a musical performance on the Bui Vien Walking Street in HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

HCMC currently has three pedestrian zones, including one near Quang Trung Monument in District 10.

The other two are in District 1. Bui Vien Street is off-limits to vehicles from 7 p.m. during weekends while the center strip on Nguyen Hue Street has become a giant plaza where vehicles are never allowed.