Hanoi to turn Trinh Cong Son street into walking zone

According to information from the People's Committee of Tay Ho district, Trinh Cong Son street, named after the famous late composer, will be the core of the walking space, covering Alley 431 on Au Co street and Alley 612 on Lac Long Quan road.

Nguyen Dinh Khuyen, Vice Chairman of Tay Ho district People's Committee said that the walking zone is designed to add additional entertainment areas for tourists and the youth and to develop tourism activities associated with the West Lake.

The new walking street will offer visitors artistic performances and Trinh Cong Son music at a 2,000 square metre outdoor stage. There will also be other traditional art forms, such as quan ho (love duet) singing and water puppet shows at lotus ponds around the zone.

In addition, approximately 50-60 booths simulating the traditional architecture of Hanoi Old Quarter and Hoi An ancient town will be arranged along the walking street, selling souvenirs, food and refreshments for visitors.

The walking space will be organised from 7.30 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday every week, starting from August 19.

Aimed at offering a new address for entertainment and tourist activities in the West Lake area on the weekend, local authorities have provided cards for people living in the area for convenient travel. The organisers have also arranged car parking areas for visitors coming to the walking street.

According to Khuyen, the Tay Ho district is focusing on how to build a cultural environment that attracts domestic and foreign visitors to the West Lake's pedestrian space. Through the experience of organsing the walking street in the Old Quarter, it is best organised if social order and security, as well as environmental hygiene, are ensured, he added.

The organising committee affirms to create public a hotline to receive opinions from locals and visitors, while artistic activities and food and beverages introduced in the street will be selective.

Trinh Cong Son (1939-2001) is one of the greatest songwriters of Vietnam in modern times. He composed an estimated 600 songs, of which most of them are love songs. Son is also known as an amateur poet and painter.