Locals living in the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area in District 1 have urged Ho Chi Minh City authorities to create a pedestrian zone for visitors, according to a survey conducted by the city’s People Council on September 24.

An estimated 1,200 tourists arrive in the area every day, according to the People’s Committee of Pham Ngu Lao ward. The committee added that they are closely following 15 scam suspects targeting foreign tourists in the area, and have so far administratively fined two of them.  

The survey, which questioned 300 local families, also showed that 95 percent of them want to run their own business on the sidewalk.

Nguyen Huu Quang Vinh, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee of Pham Ngu Lao, proposed allowing business operations on over 3 sq.m wide pavements, with fees included.

Pham Thanh Kien, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee of District 1, said there are currently 1,300 local families running a business on the pavement.

Read more stories about Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area:

>> P1: Ho Chi Minh City backpackers’ town >> P2: The German who sells sausage on the sidewalk >> P3: Competition and opportunities in backpacker area >> P4: The three sisters of the “Pham Thi Family”