Hanoi pilots banning cars with more than 16 seats from entering the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake during two rush hours.

The Hanoi People's Committee has just approved the Department of Transport's proposal for a pilot project. Cars with more than 16 seats are prohibited from operating, except for buses and school buses.

The limited pilot period starts from March 1, morning from 6:30 to 8:30, afternoon from 16:30 to 18:30. After 6 months, the agencies will evaluate the effectiveness and report to the city for consideration and decision.

The routes that restrict vehicles with more than 16 seats include the Hang Giay - Dong Xuan - Hang Duong - Hang Ngang - Hang Dao - Dinh Tien Hoang axis; the Hang Dau - Tran Nhat Duat - Nguyen Huu Huan axis back into the Hanoi Old Quarter and the streets of Ly Quoc Su, Nha Tho, Nha Chung, Quang Trung (section from Trang Thi to Nha Chung), Au Trieu, Bao Khanh, Hang Trong, Hang Hanh alley, Bao Khanh alley.

To support residents and tourists to travel conveniently, the city will arrange 4 transit points in the directions of the restricted area on Ba Trieu, Tran Nhat Duat, Phung Hung streets and Dong Xuan market area. The transit vehicles do not use fossil fuels.

According to the Department of Transport, banning cars with more than 16 seats from operating in the above areas will help reduce traffic congestion in the Old Quarter, especially during rush hour, improve the environment, reduce emissions, protect public health and maintain a cleaner living space.

In mid-2024, at a meeting before the City People's Council meeting, voters in Hoan Kiem district reported that cars with more than 16 seats and 45-seat cars picking up and dropping off tourists caused traffic congestion, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Voters suggested that the city allocate land outside the Red River dike or some other places to make parking lots for motorbikes and cars and organize small buses to operate from 5:00 to 8:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00 to pick up and drop off passengers to reduce traffic density in the Old Quarter.

Responding to voters, Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee Pham Tuan Long said that the district has proposed that the city limit cars entering the old quarter and limit buses entering radial axes to reduce traffic density in the old quarter.

According to the head of the Hoan Kiem district government, after the district opened pedestrian streets, some traffic jams appeared on weekends. The district has coordinated with other parties to study traffic organization, initially arranging static traffic in the Opera House flower garden, May 1st square, adjusting some local traffic jams, and increasing the number of minibuses going into the district center.

The Old Quarter covers an area of ​​about 80 hectares, including 10 wards: Hang Dao, Hang Bac, Hang Gai, Hang Bo, Hang Bong, Hang Buom, Hang Ma, Cua Dong, Dong Xuan, and Ly Thai To. Hoan Kiem Lake covers an area of ​​about 12 hectares, with surrounding streets including Dinh Tien Hoang, Ly Thai To, and Hang Khay.