Tourism businesses are seeking ways to adapt.

Kinhtedothi - From March 1st, the Hanoi People's Committee officially banned cars with 16 seats or more from circulating in Hanoi's Old Quarter during certain hours. This regulation has affected the tourism industry in terms of picking up and dropping off passengers, so businesses have taken adaptive measures.

Vehicles with 16 seats or more are prohibited from operating in the Old Quarter.

From March 1st, vehicles with more than 16 seats will be banned on certain streets in the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM and from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. According to a review by authorities, this regulation will affect 138 hotels in the Old Quarter in terms of their operations for tourists. Specifically, Dong Xuan ward has 10 hotels, Hang Buom ward has 66 hotels, Hang Bac ward has 47 hotels, and Hang Trong ward has 15 hotels.

Expressing his opinion on the Hanoi People's Committee's ban on vehicles with more than 16 seats circulating in the Old Quarter, Pham Ha, Director of Lux Group Co., Ltd., stated that Bangkok (Thailand) has already banned large vehicles from densely populated residential areas, only allowing smaller 16-seat vehicles to transport tourists. Therefore, Hanoi's application of this regulation is also a common trend in the region.

Tourists wait for shuttle buses from the pick-up point in front of Dong Xuan Market to travel to their hotels in the Old Quarter. Photo: Hoai Nam

Agreeing with this viewpoint, Le Cong Nang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wonder Tour Company, believes that restricting large cars from moving around the Old Quarter will create opportunities for tourists to explore every corner of the Old Quarter on foot or by bicycle, immersing themselves in the lives of the local people. This also provides an opportunity for travel businesses to change their mindset towards green, sustainable, and experiential tourism products.

“For a long time, Hanoi’s Old Quarter has been famous for its charming little streets, ancient houses, street vendors, and traditional cultural activities. The pedestrian area offers a variety of rich and attractive activities, but due to the noise and hustle of traffic, many tourists have been unable to fully appreciate its beauty,” said Mr. Le Cong Nang.

Tourism businesses are urgently seeking solutions.

To adapt to the new regulations of Hanoi City, tourism businesses and hotels are finding ways to adjust by arranging smaller vehicles to transport guests to designated gathering points during peak hours.

A representative from Apricot Hotel at 136 Hang Trong Street (Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District) stated that the hotel is coordinating with tourism businesses to minimize receiving tour groups during peak hours and prohibits vehicles with more than 16 seats from entering the Old Quarter. If it is impossible to avoid transporting guests during these hours, the hotel and travel agencies will arrange smaller vehicles to transport guests to designated meeting points.

Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Director of BestPrice Travel, said, "If it's impossible to avoid peak hours, our current plan is to rent vehicles with fewer than 16 seats to take customers to the meeting point before departing for the sightseeing destination." Similarly, Ta Huu Chien, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sunvina Travel, also expressed that to adapt to the new regulations, the company is cooperating with transportation units to provide flexible and convenient transportation solutions for tourists.

Tourism businesses transport tourists from a pick-up point in front of Dong Xuan Market to hotels in the Old Quarter. Photo: Hoai Nam

Besides hiring shuttle buses, to adapt to the new regulations and avoid transportation inconveniences, some travel agencies are choosing to move guests to hotels on the outskirts of the Old Quarter, rather than necessarily in the city center. Accordingly, hotels in areas such as Chau Long, Nguyen Truong To, Quan Thanh, Tran Nhan Tong, etc., have been chosen by tourism businesses because these locations ensure convenience for guests to explore Hanoi.

Regarding the efforts to help businesses adapt to Hanoi's new regulations, Ms. Duong Thi Thanh Tam, Chairwoman of the Hoan Kiem District Tourism Association, said that the association is currently focusing on guiding tourists to walk or use other public transportation to pick-up points outside the restricted area. "We have placed directional signs and have staff to assist to ensure tourists do not have difficulty finding their way," Ms. Duong Thi Thanh Tam affirmed.

Besides trying to adapt to the new regulations, travel businesses also hope that Hanoi will provide more support measures by increasing the number of transfer and pick-up points instead of the current five. Mr. Duong Van Tien, Director of Lalago Services Joint Stock Company, suggested that Hanoi should quickly build more transfer points on the outskirts of the Old Quarter, where large vehicles can stop and transfer passengers to smaller electric vehicles or minibuses to reach the Old Quarter.

Agreeing with this proposal, Nguyen Duc Thang, Head of the Tourism Department (Dong A University of Technology), suggested that Hanoi should build a reasonable vehicle parking area, ensure the quality of shuttle vehicles, and that the drivers meet the standards for serving tourists. “In addition, tour operators also need to adapt by seeking and using smaller vehicles that comply with the new regulations. They should develop walking tours and cultural and culinary experience tours to attract tourists. Clear announcements about the new regulations and guidance for tourists are needed so they can plan their visits accordingly,” Mr. Nguyen Duc Thang suggested.

Meanwhile, Cao Thi Ngoc Lan, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Tourism Association, suggested that central areas need to minimize emissions, therefore prioritizing public services such as electric trams. In addition, operators of these services should support tourism businesses by reducing fares for tourists traveling from transit points to the Old Quarter or accommodation facilities. "This will help the tourism industry reduce logistics costs and increase the competitiveness of Hanoi's tourism," Ms. Cao Thi Ngoc Lan stated.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/doanh-nghiep-du-lich-tim-cach-thich-ung.html