New Year celebrations trash Hanoi pedestrian zone

Straight after the New Year’s Eve countdown ended Monday night, the crowds headed home, leaving tons of garbage, including food waste, plastic bags and bottles on pedestrian streets in the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake area.

Every spot seemed to be a garbage dump, including tree roots.

A pedestrian trips over a garbage bag in the middle of the street.

The Dinh Tien Hoang pedestrian street is home to many street eateries and food shops, which are always crowded with customers. It’s not uncommon that piles of trash pile up right after they leave. A female garbage collector (pictured) had to work non-stop throughout the night to clean up the trash.

A garbage bin near the The Huc Bridge overflowed.

An iron bench near the lake also became a garbage dump.

Plastic bags were everywhere on every street.

Lo Su Street.

Though plenty of bins were placed around the pedestrian zone, many residents chose to litter on the streets.