Removing urban bottlenecks at Ngo Sy Lien market.

Located in a densely populated area, at the intersection of many streets leading into the inner city, Ngo Sy Lien Market is one of the "hot spots" regarding urban and environmental issues. Thanks to the decisive involvement of the local authorities, including the Veterans Association of the ward, who regularly remind, educate, and encourage vendors to set up stalls and encroach on sidewalks and roads, the situation of vendors setting up stalls and encroaching on sidewalks and roads has significantly improved, resulting in a cleaner and tidier urban landscape on many streets.

From a flexible and adaptable policy

At just 7 a.m., under the scorching sun exceeding 37 degrees Celsius, Mr. Luu Van Tuan, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Ward, along with other members, were already present at the checkpoint ensuring security, order, and environmental hygiene in Ngo Sy Lien market alley. Nearly 70 years old, under the intense summer heat, which at times reached over 40 degrees Celsius outdoors, Mr. Tuan and many other elderly members remained agile and energetic, walking around the streets of Ngo Sy Lien alley, Nguyen Nhu Do, Tran Quy Cap... constantly reminding and encouraging people to conduct business in designated areas and not encroach on sidewalks.

The Veterans Association of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam ward, comprised entirely of veterans in their 70s and 80s, enthusiastically participates in manning checkpoints to ensure urban security and order at Ngo Sy Lien market. Photo: Quyen An.

Wiping away the sweat from his face, Mr. Luu Van Tuan shared that the Veterans Association of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam ward has over 2,000 members. Since March 2026, under the assignment of the ward's Steering Committee 197 on restoring urban order, the Veterans Association has been responsible for maintaining order and cleanliness in the Ngo Sy Lien market area and a section of Nguyen Khuyen street.

“We divided the team into groups of six, each manning the checkpoint at the market from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Rain or shine, the veteran force took turns on duty to encourage and remind people, sometimes even resorting to strict measures like fines to deter violations. The checkpoint team recorded videos and took photos of the streets daily to report to the Steering Committee. Therefore, the propaganda and reminder work was frequent, continuous, and thorough. After a while, restoring order gradually became a regular practice,” Mr. Tuan shared.

Veterans in the ward are divided into teams, working two shifts a day, regularly reminding and urging people to conduct business in designated areas and not encroach on sidewalks and roads. Photo: Quyen An.

According to many residents, Ngo Sy Lien Market used to be a hotspot for urban and environmental issues in Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam ward. Due to the densely populated area, narrow streets, numerous accommodations, restaurants, and services; in addition, the street currently has many businesses that have been established for decades, the buying and selling activities here were quite chaotic. At times, people would set up stalls spilling onto the road, and garbage was everywhere. But now, things are different…

Reporters have observed over several days that trading activities at Ngo Sy Lien market and surrounding streets are more orderly than before. The practice of selling goods on the road has ceased. Environmental sanitation in the area has noticeably improved. Streets that were previously difficult for cars to navigate have now been cleared of congestion. Tourists now have pedestrian walkways on the sidewalks.

The urban landscape at Ngo Sy Lien market has changed as people comply with regulations and stop selling goods on the sidewalks. Photo: Quyen An.

Regarding the changes in urban order, Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, a long-time resident and trader in Ngo Sy Lien market alley, shared: “The strict prohibition of selling goods on sidewalks may slow down business for many small traders because their goods have to be moved indoors, but in return, urban order and environmental hygiene have improved. Residents and tourists have better walkways, and the streets are cleaner. I and many other residents strongly support this policy.”

How can we put an end to the "kidnapping and abandonment" situation?

With the continuous and strict enforcement of regulations against violations over several months, urban order at Ngo Sy Lien Market is showing clear signs of improvement. Significantly, the public's sense of order has changed. The practice of "dealing with the rules"—clearing up one day and setting up stalls again the next—has decreased.

Sharing his experience of successfully cleaning up sidewalks at the "hot spot" of Ngo Sy Lien market, Mr. Luu Van Tuan smiled and said that urban management can only be successful and sustainable when it receives the consensus and support of the people themselves.

The streets are clear and the sidewalks are spacious in the areas around Ngo Sy Lien market. Photo: Quyen An.

“The ward's approach is not to ‘eliminate’ in an extreme way, but to focus on ‘reorganizing production and living spaces.’ The local government aims to find a harmonious balance between upholding the rule of law and the legitimate welfare rights of the people. The flexible approach, being both close to the people and firm against individuals who deliberately violate the law, has created great consensus,” Mr. Tuan said.

Although urban order at Ngo Sy Lien market is gradually improving, the Ward's Steering Committee 197 acknowledges that this area remains complex due to long-established habits of the residents. The risk of "starting something and then abandoning it" or re-encroachment on sidewalks and roads for business purposes still persists after enforcement officers leave, especially in smaller streets and areas with long-standing informal markets.

Trading activity at the market remains vibrant and is conducted in a more orderly and conscious manner. Photo: Quyen An.

Faced with these challenges, the Ward Veterans Association proposed changing the model from "administrative management" to "community-based governance," encouraging the participation and collaboration of the people. Residential areas and neighborhood groups should assign community officials and group leaders to participate with the task force during peak periods of cleanup, thereby raising public awareness and encouraging people to work together to preserve their own living environment.

At the same time, the Association proposed installing camera systems to monitor violations; promoting the application of technology in urban management, building online reporting channels on digital platforms or applications of local authorities, creating conditions for people to easily take photos and send information about violations such as encroaching on public space or illegal parking, thereby supporting functional forces to handle them promptly.

It is clear that maintaining urban order is a long-term process, requiring perseverance, determination, and consensus from the entire society. With the strong involvement of the entire political system and the determination of the Party committees, authorities, and people, the urban landscape of Hanoi is becoming increasingly more attractive, clean, civilized, and modern.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/go-diem-nghen-do-thi-tai-cho-ngo-sy-lien-972341.html