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Destinations · Hanoi · 23 Jun 2026 · 01:40 GMT+7

Hanoi’s old quarter pilots a car-free weekend grid

A widening pedestrian zone is testing whether a historic capital can manage growth without capping it.
MV
By Marisol Vega
Destinations desk · 23 Jun 2026
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Hanoi
On the ground in Hanoi
Key takeaways
Hanoi has widened its car-free weekend grid to eighteen streets across the old quarter, a pilot in managing growth through space rather than limits.
The model echoes moves in historic cities worldwide.
+6%
weekend footfall
city data
18
streets pedestrianised
city plan

Hanoi has widened its car-free weekend grid to eighteen streets across the old quarter, a pilot in managing growth through space rather than limits. Early weekend footfall is up 6% with congestion easing.

The model echoes moves in historic cities worldwide. WorldTravelBrief tracks the pilot’s effect on visitors and residents alike.

Hanoi
On the ground in Hanoi
By Marisol Vega · WorldTravelBrief
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