In November 2018, the District 1 People's Committee proposed to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transportation that motorized traffic on Nguyen Hue be banned by 2020.
The committee says it will start banning traffic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday first in 2019 and legalize a de facto ban on weekend traffic between 7pm and 11pm. According to the latest announcement from the HCMC Department of Transportation, all vehicles are no longer allowed to enter Nguyen Hue Boulevard during on Saturday and Sunday from 7pm to 11pm starting from March 1, Tuoi Tre reports.
Transport authorities explain that because traffic in this area is very heavy, too many vehicles clog up the area, which can negatively affect pedestrian activities on the walking street, which can range from casual strolls to lively concerts and massive football-watching parties.
Individuals and organizations based on that street seeking an exemption to move their vehicles during these banned hours are advised to reach out to the management board of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Park and Nguyen Hue Boulevard for further support.
The ban leaves commuters who want to travel from Le Thanh Ton to Ton Duc Thang Street on weekend nights with two options for driving: either via Dong Khoi or Nam Ky Khoi Nghia and Ham Nghi. From Ton Duc Thang, commuters can go to Le Thanh Ton either via Ham Nghi and Pasteur or Cong Truong Me Linh and Hai Ba Trung.
