On the morning of 29/3, the Da Nang City People's Committee organized launch ceremonies at Quang Truong 29-3 (Hoa Cuong ward) and Central Park (Hoi An ward), initiating a campaign to ensure sidewalk order, environmental hygiene, and urban aesthetics across the city.

Le Quang Nam, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City People's Committee, stated that the overarching goal is to create clear changes, striving for 100% of wards to meet criteria for sidewalks, environment, and landscape. The city identifies this as a long-term task, not a temporary movement, to avoid a "flash in the pan" approach.

Hai Chau ward officials remind sidewalk businesses; enforcement will begin after 31/3. Photo: Nguyen Dong

To achieve this, Da Nang is implementing three main solutions: increasing awareness campaigns, including through digital platforms; reorganizing sidewalks, decisively addressing encroachments, and eliminating "pop-up markets" and "temporary markets"; and innovating management, increasing inspections, and utilizing data from the Operations Center (IOC) to detect violations.

The Department of Construction announced it will mark lines to delineate pedestrian areas and temporary use zones. It will also require the removal of all obstacles and mobile signs, ending encroaching business activities. City authorities will also enhance urban aesthetics, address illegal advertising, organize waste collection points, and explore the application of 'cold penalties' via images.

The campaign is divided into three stages: completing awareness and reorganization before 31/3; conducting comprehensive inspections and addressing violations before 30/4; and then maintaining regular enforcement, coupled with measures to prevent re-encroachment.

At the local level, many areas expressed a decisive stance. Hai Chau ward, in the city center, mobilized various forces, forming 6 inspection teams that operate continuously day and night, including weekends. Their focus is to decisively address encroachment hotspots on sidewalks and roadways. Businesses are required to remove all items and signs, ceasing sales on sidewalks; violations will result in written records and confiscation of evidence.

Hoa Cuong ward committed to implementing the "5 clear principles", ensuring decisive action, not mere formality. Hoa Khanh ward affirmed there would be "no marking lines for businesses," stating that all sidewalks, especially on main arteries, must be returned to pedestrians.

Immediately after the launch ceremony, officials fanned out to streets, broadcasting announcements, and visiting each business to encourage compliance, remind them, and assist in moving encroaching items. On the first day, activities primarily focused on informing and guiding residents to voluntarily comply.

Nguyen Dong