“On Hai Ba Trung Street next to the modern Hanoi Tower, public street lighting is out of date, ineffective and ugly,” said a passer-by.

Hapulico said the lamp posts were too tall and that the light bulbs were ineffective and energy-consumed due to the existing light-surrounds made in Russia 20 years ago.

On Kim Ma Street, the streetlights are located in the central reservation meaning that little light reaches the footpaths on either side of the busy road. Lights are also often obscured by trees.

Hapulico said poor street lighting in the city had adversely affected its socio-economic development.

City authorities plan to replace around 1,000 11-metre high concrete lamposts with 9-metre aluminium ones on major streets such as Tran Hung Dao, Ly Thuong Kiet, Phan Dinh Phung, Thanh Nien and Lang Ha.

Furthermore, the city also aims to replace 1,904 light bulbs on 185 city streets with more powerful energy-efficient bulbs.

Hapulico has submitted a US$5.4-million plan to the Hanoi People’s Committee for approval. If approved, the work will be carried out by 2010.