(VOVWORLD) -Hanoi is working to expand its night-time economic activities to form a typical economic sector that contributes to the capital city’s socio-economic development.
The city’s major night-time hubs include streets in the Old Quarter such as Ta Hien, Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ma May, Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Dong Xuan, Hang Bong and Hang Buom, where tourists often gather for shopping, and culinary and entertainment activities. The streets become busier at weekends.
 Walkers at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem district. (Photo: VNA) |
The pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake are also attractive to visitors. In the first three years of launching, the number of international visitors choosing to stay in Hoan Kiem district rose 13-22.8 percent each year, contributing to raising State budget collection in the district.
This year, the city has opened two additional walking zones of Trinh Cong Son street and Son Tay ancient fortress.
Night tours in Hanoi, including the “Decoding the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long” at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and “Sacred Night - Glorious Vietnamese Spirit” tour in Hoa Lo Prison have also made the city more attractive at night.
As part of efforts to promote cultural values of the city, boost its tourism development, and increase staying time and spending of tourists, Hanoi is designing a plan to pilot the development of the night-time economy in Hoan Kiem district, focusing on cultural, culinary, entertainment and shopping services.
 Visitors on Ta Hien street in Hanoi's Old Quarter. (Photo: VNA) |
Meanwhile, the city also plans to form additional night-time pedestrian spaces around Ngoc Khanh lake and Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa peninsula on Truc Bach lake.