QuangNam (VNA) – Authorities of theancient city of Hoi An have decided to open five more streets for pedestriansand non-engined vehicles from April 12 aspart of efforts to attract more holiday-makers to the locality.

Accordingly, the areas include Tran Phu, Nguyen Hue, and Cong Nu Ngoc Hoastreets, the road from Tran Phu street to the Nguyen Hue-Phan Chau Trinhintersection, and the road along Hoai River.

Thewalking spaces will be closed to traffic from9am-11 am; and from 3pm-9.30 pm in the rain season, and to 10pm in the dryseason.

Accordingto Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Son, apart fromexpanding walking spaces, many cultural and amusement activities like folkgames, food markets, art performances will be arranged in the streets, contributingto ease the crowding of tourists in existingpedestrian areas

Since 2004, Hoi An has earmarked several streetsfor pedestrians and non-engined vehicles to reduce noise and ensure people'ssafety.

Located in the central province of Quang Nam,Hoi An - an UNESCO heritage site, has many temples, pagodas and old houses. Theancient city was a leading trading port in Southeast Asia in the 17th and 18thcenturies.

The city plans to promote the use of bicyclesamong public agencies and local residents, with a goal of 100,000 localbicycles in use.

Most foreign tourists use bicycles while touringthe city, beaches and villages during their visits to Hoi An.

The city’s Hoai River and its channels made thelist of the 10 most famous canals in the world on the US-based travel websitetouropia.com in 2014.

Hoi An was chosen for the 2013 Townscape Awardby the UN-Habitat Regional Office in Asia. It was also listed among the top 10Asian cities in US magazine Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards in2012.-VNA