​Hanoians flock to pedestrian streets as restrictions go

By Giang Huy   March 18, 2022 | 10:00 pm PT
Streets around Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi were packed on Friday night after reopening following nearly a year of closure because of Covid-19.
The pedestrian streets around the lake and surrounding areas open from 7 p.m. Friday to midnight Sunday every week. The remaining spaces open from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and vehicles can still run on such streets during the day.

The streets around the lake and surrounding areas are for pedestrians only from 7 p.m. Friday to midnight Sunday every week.The remaining spaces open from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Le Thai To Street is fenced in and divided into two lanes, one for normal traffic and the other for pedestrians.

Le Thai To Street is divided into two, one for vehicles and the other for pedestrians.

Every street has checkpoints where pedestrians can scan QR codes, measure their body temperature, and disinfect their hands.

Every street has checkpoints where pedestrians can scan QR codes, check their body temperature and disinfect their hands.

Many families flock to Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.The walking spaces in the Hoan Kiem District include pedestrian streets around the Sword Lake, from Hang Dao to Hang Giay streets and certain other locations in the Old Quarter.

Families flock to Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square. The walking-only spaces in Hoan Kiem District include pedestrian streets around Sword Lake and some others in the old quarter.

I feel comfortable going out like this again and looking at the crowded street. My whole family loves it, Pham Phuc Hoan, who lives on Pham Van Dong Street, said.

Pham Phuc Hoan, who lives on Pham Van Dong Street, said: "I feel comfortable going out like this again and looking at the crowded streets. My whole family loves it".

After a long period of coming here, members of the Hanoi club dance the waltz on the pedestrian street near Hoan Kiem Lake.

Members of the Hanoi club dance the waltz on one of the pedestrians-only street near Hoan Kiem Lake.

Many people visit the night market on the first day of reopening on Hang Dao Street.

Many people visit the night market on Hang Dao Street the day it reopened.

A group of artists perform an ancient play on Ma May Street.

A group of artists perform an ancient play on Ma May Street.

When we heard the news of reopening, we came here right away, said Ha Thanh and Trang Anh of Long Bien District. It was really nice to go for a walk in the Old Quarter.

"When we heard the news of the reopening, we came here right away," Ha Thanh and Trang Anh of Long Bien District said. "It was really nice to walk in the old quarter".

The intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets, a food and beer hub in Hanois Old Quarter, is teeming with young people now that bars and pubs have reopened.

The intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets, a food and beer hub in the old quarter, teems with young people.

Quan Ho folk singing is held on O Quan Chuong Street. The high rate of vaccination and most of the newly infected having mild symptoms not requiring hospitalization are factors that have allowed socioeconomic activities to resume.

Quan Ho folk singing on O Quan Chuong Street.
The high rate of vaccination and the mildness of new infections are giving people the confidence to resume normal socioeconomic activities.

Hang Bac pedestrian street is quite empty since people are concentrated on the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake and other locations. Nearly a year ago, when the fourth coronavirus wave hit the country, Hanoi shut down its walking streets as a coronavirus fighting measure. The capital has since recorded over 940,000 Covid-19 cases, the highest fourth wave infection tally in the country.

Hang Bac walking-only street is empty since most people are on the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Nearly a year ago, when the fourth coronavirus wave hit the country, Hanoi shut down its pedestrian streets as a safety measure.
The capital has since recorded over 940,000 Covid cases, the highest tally in the country.

 
 
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