Ho Chi Minh City cleans up streets

HO CHI MINH CITY Ho Chi Minh City authorities will reclaim sidewalks from vendors, roadside stalls cars, and motorbikes in a bid to clean up the city’s tourism image

Tuoi Tre News quoted the municipal Traffic Safety Committee deputy head, Nguyen Ngoc Tuong, saying it has become a ‘lifestyle’ for citizens to occupy the sidewalks to run their business.

Peddlers and roadside food vendors encroach on the city’s sidewalks to earn a living, but they are forcing pedestrians to walk on busy streets adding to traffic congestion. People use the sidewalks to park their cars, while motorbike riders take short cuts on the pavements.

Credit Tuoi Tre News

“Drastic measures must be taken to clear the sidewalks and return them to pedestrians,” he said.

All city districts have been strongly advised to follow the example of the authorities in District 1 to reclaim promenades and pavements to their original state.

On sidewalks that are more than three metres wide, officials said they would identify two zones, one  for vendors to use and the other for pedestrians.

The two zones will be separated by painted lines. Vendors who cross the line will be penalised, the deputy head added.

The one-to-three-month grace period will allow local residents to reorganise their business activities in a way that does not encroach on sidewalks.

The sidewalk clearing action is similar to a campaign in Thailand that has attempted to reclaim pavements near major attractions around the Grand Palace and Huai Kwang Market from Pracha Uthit to Pracha Songkhro Road.

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