From March 1st, to ease transportation for residents and tourists, Hanoi will establish four transfer hubs as part of a pilot ban on vehicles over 16 seats in the Hoan Kiem and Hanoi Old Quarter areas.
Authorities are also negotiating with transport operators to reduce fares for shuttle services.
Source: Lux Travel DMC
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Pilot ban on large vehicles in historic districts
The Hanoi People’s Committee has approved a six-month trial ban on vehicles larger than 16 seats, except for buses and school transport, in the Hoan Kiem and Old Quarter areas.
The policy will take effect from March 1, during peak hours from 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
After the six months, the Department of Transport will assess the impact and submit a report for further decisions.
The restriction applies to key streets in the Old Quarter, including Hang Giay, Dong Xuan, Hang Duong, Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Dinh Tien Hoang, Hang Dau, Tran Nhat Duat, and Nguyen Huu Huan.
Other affected roads include Ly Quoc Su, Nha Tho, Nha Chung, Quang Trung (from Trang Thi to Nha Chung), Au Trieu, Bao Khanh, Hang Trong, Hang Hanh Alley, and Bao Khanh Alley.
The Hanoi People’s Committee stated that restricting large vehicles in Hoan Kiem District will reduce congestion, improve air quality, and lower emissions, making the Old Quarter a more pedestrian-friendly destination.
Expert perspectives on urban transport planning
Dr. Khuong Kim Tao, former Deputy Chief of the National Traffic Safety Committee Office, emphasized that Hanoi is gradually moving towards a green, low-emission space by restricting private vehicles and promoting public transport.
He noted that major political and historic districts should aim for lower emissions, which means limiting private vehicles and prioritizing public transport services.
The initial peak-hour restriction is only the first step, and in the future, access to these areas may be fully restricted, with exceptions for special cases.
Dr. Tao acknowledged that banning larger vehicles would affect tourism businesses and local merchants. To counter this, he suggested introducing small electric shuttles for tourists.
He proposed that tour operators collaborate with local authorities to ensure a smooth transition.
“Large tour buses often cause traffic jams, and tourists get tired waiting inside vehicles. Instead, transferring to smaller, eco-friendly vehicles at designated hubs will enhance the tourist experience by allowing them to explore the Old Quarter in a more immersive way,” he said.
Hanoi Old Quarter, source: Lux Travel DMC
Balancing convenience and sustainability in tourism in Hanoi Old Quarter
Mr. Duong Van Tien, CEO of Lalago Services, agreed that restricting vehicles over 16 seats would alleviate traffic pressure in the Old Quarter, where narrow streets and outdated infrastructure cannot handle large vehicles.
He emphasized the new policy’s positive impacts, including less congestion, improved air quality, and enhanced pedestrian experiences.
Additionally, preserving historic sites by reducing vehicle emissions and vibrations will help protect Hanoi’s Old Quarter architecture.
However, from a tourism industry perspective, Mr. Tien acknowledged potential downsides, such as increased transportation costs for tour operators.
Tour companies will need to switch to smaller vehicles or implement transfer services, which will raise logistics expenses and possibly reduce Hanoi’s competitiveness as a tourist destination.
He pointed to international models like Venice, Italy, where large vehicles are banned from the historic center in favor of external bus hubs and water transport.
Similarly, Amsterdam, Netherlands, has restricted large tour buses and replaced them with small electric shuttles.
Tokyo, Japan, has also implemented time-based restrictions to prioritize small electric vehicles in historic districts, leading to significant improvements in congestion and urban conservation.
Proposed solutions for Hanoi’s transport plan in the Hanoi Old Quarter
Drawing from global experiences, Mr. Tien proposed that Hanoi should quickly establish external transfer hubs for large tour vehicles.
These hubs should connect to small electric vehicles or mini-buses for seamless access to the Old Quarter.
Additionally, he suggested that authorities adjust the restriction hours based on real-time tourism demand rather than imposing a blanket ban.
A flexible schedule, such as 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, would be better aligned with peak tourist movement.
To facilitate transportation, four transfer hubs will be set up at Ba Trieu, Tran Nhat Duat, Phung Hung, and Dong Xuan Market.
Local authorities in Hoan Kiem District are currently working with transport service providers to offer reduced fares for shuttle services to help residents and visitors adapt to the changes.
Source: Vietnamnet
