Hoi An Ancient Town has unveiled a new pedestrian street space and increased toll collection for visitors to the historic area, according to the People’s Committee of Hoi An City in the central province of Quang Nam. The new street space has been opened to the public in order to improve the experience of those visiting the old town area. At the same time, higher tolls have been implemented in an effort to control the number of visitors and maintain the integrity of the historical site.
The new street space in Hoi An Ancient Town is sure to be a welcome addition for tourists, as it will provide a more enjoyable environment in which to explore the area’s rich history. Meanwhile, the increased tolls will help ensure that the old town is not overcrowded and that its unique character is preserved.
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| The newly opened pedestrian space in Phan Chau Trinh Street in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province. Photo: Quang Nam Newspaper |
According to Nguyen Van Lanh, Vice Chairman of Hoi An City People’s Committee, the newly opened pedestrian street can help create a new tourist highlight and attract more travelers to this famous Japanese-style ancient city in Southeast Asia. The street offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing visitors to explore the city’s captivating culture, cuisine, and scenery, all while being surrounded by stunning historic architecture. This new initiative has the potential to draw in more visitors from all over the world, creating a truly memorable experience for everyone.
“The newly constructed pedestrian street, stretching from the junction of Nguyen Hue and Phan Chau Trinh streets to the crossing of Cao Hong Lanh and Phan Chau Trinh, will be open every day,” he stated.
This bustling 1.5-kilometer street in Hoi An City is a local favorite, renowned for its countless bustling small shops, restaurants, historic relics, and tourist attractions. In the heart of the city, this street is alive with activity and provides an unforgettable experience for visitors and locals alike.
During the trial period, which will last until the end of 2023, the pedestrian street will be closed to motorized traffic from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm in Summer and from 5:30 pm to 9 pm during Winter. This will ensure that pedestrians can safely and comfortably enjoy the street without worrying about vehicular traffic. Additionally, it will help reduce air pollution and noise pollution in the area. The trial period will help inform the city on the effectiveness of this measure and whether or not it should be made permanent.
Starting in 2024, the pedestrian street will be extended to the Hoang Dieu – Phan Chau Trinh intersection and will be open daily from 3 pm to 9.30 pm in the summer months, and from 3 pm to 9 pm in the winter months.
Lanh declared that the expansion of this pedestrian street had garnered approval from an abundance of local inhabitants. “Hoi An will have more places for public activities, augmenting the tourism products, and thus more efficiently catering to the visitors of Hoi An Ancient Town,” he proclaimed.
| The art performance show titled “Hoi An Memory” in Hoi An Ancient Town. Photo: Bao Ngoc |
Many cultural activities and art performances will be held at various tourist attractions in the new pedestrian zone, such as a Hat Boi folk performance at the Van Chi Minh Huong Art Center, a music performance by the Old Melody group at 49 Phan Chu Trinh; as well as spaces for tea ceremonies, calligraphy practice, traditional handicraft experiences, and more.
The “pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle zone” model was first implemented in 2004 by Hoi An Old Town in the area encompassing Bridge Pagoda, Le Loi, and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Streets.
In 2015, the area was extended to include Nguyen Phuc Chu Street, and two years later in 2017, it was further broadened to encompass the eastern streets of the current Old Quarter.
In addition to the expansion of the space, many monuments have been included in the tour route, such as the magnificent Hainan Assembly Hall, the historically-significant Museum of Traditional Medicine, the culturally-rich Hoi An Community House, the captivating Japanese Cultural Gallery, and the bustling Tran Quy Night Market. Visitors can take a journey through the winding streets of this vibrant city and explore its rich and varied history.
Tighten Toll Collection and Improve Efficiency. Implementing a toll collection system that is both efficient and secure is essential for a successful and smooth operation. By utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as RFID tags and automated toll collection booths, it is possible to reduce waiting times and increase accuracy. Additionally, integrating a payment system that accepts a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, can help enhance customer convenience. Lastly, implementing safety protocols and measures to ensure the security of personal data will further improve the quality of the service provided to customers.
| Foreign visitors to Hoi An Ancient Town. Photo: Nguoi Hoi An |
Nguyen Van Lanh also declared that the contentious policy of “Strengthening Fee Collection in Hoi An Ancient Town” came into effect from the afternoon of May 15.
According to him, despite facing many opposing opinions in the past, the tightening of fee collection in Hoi An Ancient Town is still ongoing in order to increase revenue for local heritage protection.
“The revenue generated from the fee will be used to help Hoi An not charge its residents, while also reinforcing the public toilet system, keeping the city orderly and providing better environmental sanitation to serve tourists,” he said.
For foreigners and long-term visitors to Hoi An Ancient Town, the city will introduce an “all attractions ticket” policy, allowing them to visit the old town as many times as they wish, according to Lanh.
Deborah Hugh, an Australian expatriate living in Hoi An, informed The Hanoi Times that the entrance fee for Hoi An Ancient Town is extremely affordable at VND80,000, which is equivalent to around US$3.4. This price tag is much cheaper than the entrance fee to other heritage sites in Vietnam and around the world.
| A corner of Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. Photo: Bao Ngoc |
Travelers visiting Hoi An in groups will be picked up by electric cars from the parking lots to some venues in the old town center, including the space in front of House No. 8 Hoang Dieu, Hoi An Museum, and Hoai River Square.
In addition to the 13 existing toll booths, Hoi An has added two more at 332 Ly Thuong Kiet, a bus station on Hung Vuong Street, and dozens of additional booths located outside of the Old Quarter.
There are additional guards at the gateways to the ancient Quarter to verify tickets.
The Hoi An authorities have announced that all attraction tickets will be available for purchase at accommodation businesses located in Hoi An Ancient Town, including homestays, hostels, and hotels.
