The pedestrian areas around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi have since its September 2016 opening quickly become the capital’s iconic hang-out hub, thrilling visitors with an array of cultural activities.

More than a dozen streets and the areas surrounding Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and Hoan Kiem Lake in the Vietnamese capital are turned into pedestrian-only zone, from 7:00 pm to midnight, from Friday through Sunday.

The streets include Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Lai, Le Thach, Dinh Le, Nguyen Xi, Trang Tien, Hang Khay, Le Thai To, Lo Su, Hang Dau, Tran Nguyen Han, Luong Van Can, Bao Khanh, Trang Thi, Hang Trong.

Nightfall is when those promenades attract numerous people to come to be blessed with their liveliness, creating a lovely image about Hanoi.

On one particular night, in front of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, a couple of Russian street artists playing saxophone well with one another received a lot of praise from pedestrians.

The audience moved along with the beautiful voice and dance of the female performer.

Not too far away from there, on Le Thai To Street, many folk games including bamboo dancing, jump rope, stilt walking, tug of war, Mandarin square capturing took place in an exciting atmosphere.

In a corner opposite to Bao Khanh thoroughfare, Dan, a young Russian man who came to Hanoi just a few months ago, made himself a decent income from playing melodica and accordion.

Dan said the walking space and weather in Hanoi are perfect for playing music, adding that he always feels more excited when people attentively watch his performance.

Every time when “Magic Band,” a troupe consisting of lecturers and students from the Hanoi College of Arts popular to visitors of the walking streets, present their music near the intersection of Trang Tien, Hang Bai and Hang Khay, hundreds of people would gather to enjoy.

Nguyen Tien Lam, a 35-year-old man living in Cau Giay District, often brings his wife and six-year-old daughter here to take pleasure in music and play traditional games.

"Everybody who comes to the street is happy, as there are no language barriers or rich-and-poor gap here,” he said.

Lam expressed his hope that Hanoi would have more amusing playgrounds like this in the future.

At 11:30 pm, the bustling areas returned to their normal state, as visitors melt away with nostalgia for the place.

A rock band ‘rocks’ the atmosphere in front of Ho Guom Cultural Information Center. Photo: Tuoi Tre

“Magic Band” showcases their music in front of Trang Tien Plaza shopping mall located in the pedestrian hub. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A foreigner takes part in the ‘tug of war’ game. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A little girl performs in a circle of hundreds of people. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Three girls plays Mandarin square capturing. Photo: Tuoi Tre

25-year-old Russian national Dan plays melodica opposite Bao Khanh thoroughfare. Photo: Tuoi Tre

People watch two foreign performers at the walking streets in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Couples of grooms and brides are seen shooting their wedding photo in the walking areas. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A Russian couple perform in front of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Children enjoy bamboo dance in the venue. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!