Motorbikes crowd the sidewalk of Ta Hien Street in Hoan Kiem District, one of the top tourist hotspots in Hanoi, on Tuesday.
The sidewalk of Hang Non Street in Hoan Kiem District has been turned into a parking area for motorbikes.
A store selling votive paper takes up the entire sidewalk on Hang Ma Street, with vendors blocking the road.
A coffee shop on Dao Duy Tu Street serves its customers on the sidewalk.
Huynh Cong Hai, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, said he feels uncomfortable as he is forced to walk on the street next to fast-moving vehicles.
He said the situation will create a bad image for the capital city.
Despite a sign issued by the People's Committee of Hang Buom Ward, which says those encroaching the sidewalk will be subjected to a fine of VND150,000 to VND3 million (US$6.34-126.34), local businesses continue to use the city sidewalk as their own front yard.
A ward official said there is not enough staff to check and fine the violators.
Motorbikes surround a sign that bans people from parking vehicles and running business on the sidewalk of Tran Quang Khai Street.
Hanoi's Construction Department last year evaluated at least seven proposals and projects aiming to upgrade city projects in 2023. Department researchers found that one of the five major causes of sidewalk degradation in the city is the encroachment of vehicles, mostly cars.
Tran Sy Thanh, chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, last December ordered district authorities to stop all activities that could cause damage to city sidewalks, including using them as parking lots.
In mid-February, the city issued a plan to inspect and fine all sidewalk encroachment activities to "take back the space for pedestrians."
