Concerns over banning 16-seat vehicles in the Old Quarter in Hanoi

Many readers shared their opinions on the plan to ban 16-seat tourism buses from Hanoi center to prevent their impacts on daily traffic.

Reader Song Dong said: "The problem with tour buses with more than 16 seats in Hanoi's Old Quarter is that they are there to pick up tourists. Those tourists might stop coming to the Old Quarter if the buses are not there to drive them around. There's a reason past policies restricted large vehicles in that area but made exceptions for tour buses."

Hanoi authorities recently approved a plan to ban vehicles with more than 16 seats from entering the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake area from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., starting March 1. Officials say this ban will ease congestion, cut emissions, improve public health, and keep the city cleaner.

Some readers welcomed the decision.

Reader Bao supported the ban, saying: "Tour buses crowd the Old Quarter's tiny streets and make traffic worse. Anyone who's been there knows this problem. We should just ban the vehicles from driving into the Old Quarter area. Besides, large tour groups can hire electric buses, sightseeing buses, or pedicabs instead."

Reader Artnamssc agreed: "People here have to deal with traffic jams caused by tour buses every day. They block streets, spew out dust and fumes, and stop in the middle of the road to pick up passengers. It's frustrating. I support this ban and hope it leads to a complete restriction on large vehicles in central Hanoi. A designated transfer hub outside the Old Quarter would work well."

16-seat tour buses clog a small street of the Old Quarter in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Viet An

Reader Vuongdiep pointed out the daily struggles caused by these buses: "This has been a problem for years. Just getting breakfast near the Old Quarter is tough because of the traffic. With schools on these tiny streets and parents picking up kids, adding large tour buses makes everything more congested. Hanoi should require those buses to drop off tourists outside the Old Quarter and use electric shuttles for transport instead."

Others believe Hanoi could learn from global examples.

Reader Nekodejarino wrote: "Other countries strictly regulate traffic in historic areas like old quarters and towns. Large vehicles need permits to drive in those areas. I think the solution to this problem is better public transport. If Hanoi provides enough affordable electric shuttles, the city could fully and easily put a ban on 16-seat buses. I've seen foreign cities turn historic districts into beautiful walking zones, and it works wonderfully."