Saigon to ban vehicles on certain streets during long holiday weekend

First, all vehicles will be banned on the part of Dong Khoi Street between its intersections with Le Thanh Ton and Le Loi in District 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday for a street performance to celebrate the holidays.

They will then be banned on Le Duan Street between Pasteur and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia streets from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sunday for preparations for the city’s annual marathon on April 30.

They will be banned on segments of Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ton Duc Thang, Dong Khoi, Hai Trieu, and Ham Nghi streets from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on April 30 to ensure safety during fireworks performances.

The ban will extend to Nguyen Hue Street between Le Thanh Ton and Ton Duc Thang from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to enable people to enjoy the fireworks.

City authorities approved firework displays to celebrate the 44th anniversary of Reunification Day April 30 to mark the end of the Vietnam War and the Labor Day May 1, both public holidays.

There will be two high-altitude firework displays, one over the Thu Thiem Tunnel between Districts 1 and 2 and the other at the 81-story Landmark 81, Vietnam's tallest building, in Binh Thanh District.

A low-altitude display will take place at Dam Sen Park in District 11.

Other activities planned by the city include artistic street lighting, a photo exhibition on the pedestrians-only Nguyen Hue Street and the annual Ho Chi Minh Television cycling race.