Bach Dang Street runs along the Han River in Hai Chau Ward. At night, many bars set out tables and chairs across the entire sidewalk, right up to the edge of the road. The street is often called Da Nang's "living room."
Since late 2024, the city has piloted turning Bach Dang into a "model road safety street," but control over sidewalk and roadway order has seen little improvement.
With vendors occupying nearly the entire sidewalk in the evening, many tourists are forced to walk in the one-way roadway, which is busy with traffic.
At the corner of Bach Dang and Le Duan streets, at the foot of the Han River swing bridge, a business has set out plastic tables and chairs covering the entire sidewalk.
At 10:30 p.m. on weekend nights, many people gather here to have drinks, enjoy the view and wait to watch the bridge rotate.
At the corner of Tran Phu and Le Duan streets, on the road leading up to the Han River bridge, a restaurant has set out tables and chairs for diners across the entire sidewalk. Street vending in the area persists despite a ban.
On Nguyen Van Linh Street, which connects Da Nang airport to the Dragon Bridge, many shops have taken over the sidewalk or left only a narrow path for pedestrians.
Under a plan recently issued by the Da Nang People's Committee, the city prohibits businesses and vendors from operating on sidewalks to keep them clear, tidy and accessible for pedestrians.
On Vo Nguyen Giap Street along the beachside sidewalk, pushcarts selling fried fish balls park in the roadway at night.
Vendors spilling onto the road's edge and street hawkers soliciting tourists are also common in the An Thuong tourist quarter. Pictured here, a bar at the corner of Hoang Ke Viem and Tran Bach Dang streets has set out chairs covering the entire sidewalk.
Public space at the park on the east bank of the Han River swing bridge in An Hai Ward has also been turned into a food vending, statue-painting and electric car rental area at night. Many motorbikes are parked haphazardly across the area.
Da Nang's plan to restore sidewalk order sets a target of 100% of communes and wards ensuring clear pedestrian space, a clean environment and tidy streetscape.
The city is conducting outreach and urging voluntary removal of violations through March 31, followed by comprehensive inspections and enforcement through April 30, then sustained patrols to prevent re-encroachment.
