A pedestrianized zone in the central Vietnamese city of Hue, a popular tourist destination and the country’s former capital, has become a hit not only with tourists but also with local youths.

Officially open since late September, the pedestrianized area includes three walking streets; Pham Ngu Lao, Vo Thi Sau, and Chu Van An.

The zone is open every weekend from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am on Friday and Saturday evenings and from 6:00 pm to midnight on Sundays.

Quickly dubbed the ‘backpacker quarter,’ foreign travellers are spending time in the area during their stays in Hue, which is the provincial capital of Thua Thien-Hue and home to several UNESCO-recognized sites.

A foreign tourist poses on one of the walking streets. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Additionally, local youths have also become regulars, often gathering to play music, offer portrait paintings, or even work at local eateries in the hope of improving their English.

German backpacker Alexander Youssef told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the walking streets were beautiful and that the people here were friendly.

“I love the bands, the street food and the drinks,” Youssef said.

“Young people here perform a variety of street arts to entertain visitors along the pedestrian streets,” said Le Xuan Phuong, a local bar owner.

“I hope this place will become a distinctive feature of the city,” he added.

Visitors observe the balloons erected at the ends of each of the three walking streets. Photo: Tuoi Tre

According to Nguyen Van Thanh, chairman of the local People’s Committee, the three walking streets are set to be improved further to offer visitors an even better experience.

“The pedestrianized zone will be extended to include the iconic Huong River and connect with the existing Nguyen Dinh Chieu walking street, as well as to the Truong Tien Bridge and Dong Ba Market,” Thanh explained.

“A project to transform Dong Ba Market into a modern shopping center will also be implemented soon,” the city official continued.

Locals spend time on the walking streets. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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