One of world's most beautiful streets in Vietnam to restrict vendors, beggars

By Hoang Vu October 16, 2024 | 06:38 pm PT

Tran Phu Street in Hoi An is seen from above. Photo by Lekima Hung

Tran Phu Street in Hoi An, named one of the world's most beautiful by Architectural Digest, is set to ban plastic bags, begging, and street vendors as part of a plan to make it more civilized to foreign tourists.

Under a new policy by Hoi An authorities, both Tran Phu and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets will be designated as "civilized streets", where businesses must clearly display prices and are prohibited from soliciting tourists, according to Quang Nam's online portal.

Business owners will also be required to act in a courteous and friendly manner.

Patrol forces will actively address issues such as solicitation, begging, street vending, and noise pollution on these streets, with the policy being tested until the end of this year.

The kilometer-long Tran Phu Street, once a bustling boulevard during the French colonial era, is now home to Chinese-influenced pagodas, museums, eateries, and souvenir shops.

In August, it was named among the 71 most beautiful streets in the world by American magazine Architectural Digest.

Hoi An is not only renowned for its unspoiled natural landscapes but also for its ancient streets, which have been recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The city's iconic yellow-walled buildings, charming brown-tiled roofs, and vibrant souvenir shops create a captivating atmosphere that draws visitors from around the world.

Hoi An received nearly two million foreign tourists in the first half of 2024, up 32% year-on-year.