HCM City to consider vehicle ban in backpackers’ area
Ho Chi Minh City’s Party chief Dinh La Thang said on March 4 he will ask the local government to consider a vehicle ban in the backpackers’ area in the evening.
Thang had a meeting with the Party authorities of District 1 to discuss the district’s proposal to ban vehicles from entering the backpackers’ area, including Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao streets, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported.
The district wanted to turn these streets into pedestrian-only from 7 p.m. until late everyday, said the district party chief Huynh Thanh Hai.
District 1's chief police officer Nguyen Tan Dat also said the ban is needed as the backpackers’ area satisfies all criteria for a walking street with shops, services and sidewalk eateries, which help many people make a living.
Some said the area should have been turned into a walking street because it is being used by many pedestrians, and this westerners’ neighborhood has so many vehicles threatening the safety of a high number of tourists.
Thang said he will ask the HCMC People’s Committee to seriously take the vehicle ban into consideration.
