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On Phan Chu Trinh Street, opposite Ben Thanh Market, fruit stalls encroach on the white lines meant for pedestrians, while motorbikes are parked haphazardly, unlike the previous year. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van) |
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At the west entrance of Ben Thanh Market, shops selling bags and suitcases occupy the entire sidewalk, forcing tourists to walk on Nguyen An Ninh Street. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van) |
At noon on 5/8, the sidewalks of Le Thanh Ton Street in Ben Thanh Ward were largely occupied by motorbikes and tables and chairs from various establishments. The white and yellow lines that once designated paid business areas and pedestrian walkways have vanished.
This scene contrasts sharply with July 2024, when the sidewalks were divided into three sections: businesses could rent the outer sections for motorbike parking and seating, while the middle section remained clear for pedestrians.
Ho Chi Minh City’s program of charging businesses 20,000-350,000 VND per square meter for sidewalk usage, implemented in May 2025 on several central streets, was halted in June of this year.
According to the Department of Construction, the Road Traffic Law and the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, effective from the beginning of 2025, prohibit provincial People's Committees from issuing separate regulations on sidewalk usage for business purposes. The city is currently reviewing and adjusting its policies to comply with the new legal framework.
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About 2 km away, the sidewalk on Co Bac Street in Cau Ong Lanh Ward has become a parking lot for motorbikes and a place for businesses to set up tables and chairs. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van) |
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On many streets with yellow lines dividing motorbike parking and pedestrian areas, encroachment is also a problem. In front of a hotel at the foot of Ong Lanh Bridge, two cars are parked, blocking the entire sidewalk and leaving no space for pedestrians. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van) |
On Phan Chu Trinh Street, opposite Ben Thanh Market, fruit stalls encroach on the white lines meant for pedestrians, while motorbikes are parked haphazardly, unlike the previous year. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van)
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Similarly, on Yersin Street in Ben Thanh Ward, people are forced to walk on the road as the sidewalk is used for displaying goods. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van) |
At the west entrance of Ben Thanh Market, shops selling bags and suitcases occupy the entire sidewalk, forcing tourists to walk on Nguyen An Ninh Street. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van)
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At the same time, many cases of illegal parking on sidewalks in central Ho Chi Minh City have been penalized. On Ly Tu Trong Street in Saigon Ward, a 7-seat car and a truck parked on the sidewalk were fined 900,000 VND by two traffic police officers from Ben Thanh Team. The truck driver explained that he parked on the sidewalk for easier loading and unloading of goods into the building. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van) |
About 2 km away, the sidewalk on Co Bac Street in Cau Ong Lanh Ward has become a parking lot for motorbikes and a place for businesses to set up tables and chairs. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van)
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Concrete planters placed on the sidewalk in front of a restaurant on Co Bac Street block pedestrian access, pushing people onto the road. A local resident, Hong, said the planters appeared over a month ago and have been hindering her movement. "They may have put these plants there to decorate and attract customers, but they should also arrange them neatly so that people can walk easily," she said.
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Nearby, motorbikes, planters, umbrellas, retractable awnings, and barrels clutter the sidewalk.
Truong Thi Minh Dung, chairwoman of the Cau Ong Lanh Ward People's Committee (UBND), said the urban management force was disbanded on 1/7 following administrative restructuring. This force regularly inspected and addressed sidewalk violations, but its absence has led to increased encroachment in some areas.
To mitigate this, the ward, along with the ward police’s order team, will conduct patrols three times a day—morning, noon, and night—to remind people to observe sidewalk regulations.
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On many streets with yellow lines dividing motorbike parking and pedestrian areas, encroachment is also a problem. In front of a hotel at the foot of Ong Lanh Bridge, two cars are parked, blocking the entire sidewalk and leaving no space for pedestrians. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van)
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Similarly, on Yersin Street in Ben Thanh Ward, people are forced to walk on the road as the sidewalk is used for displaying goods. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van)
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At the same time, many cases of illegal parking on sidewalks in central Ho Chi Minh City have been penalized. On Ly Tu Trong Street in Saigon Ward, a 7-seat car and a truck parked on the sidewalk were fined 900,000 VND by two traffic police officers from Ben Thanh Team. The truck driver explained that he parked on the sidewalk for easier loading and unloading of goods into the building. (Photo: Quynh Tran - Dinh Van)
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In contrast to the widespread encroachment, the sidewalk on Hai Trieu Street next to the Bitexco building maintains the designated pedestrian space.
Ho Chi Minh City has temporarily suspended new sidewalk business permits, only processing renewals for existing permits. Activities such as vehicle parking and transportation of materials and waste are still being reviewed under the new regulations.
The Department of Construction is collaborating with the City Development Research Institute on a comprehensive plan for sidewalk and roadway usage to be applied uniformly after Ho Chi Minh City merges with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau. The plan is expected to be completed within 12 months. Once approved, it will be piloted in several central wards before citywide implementation.
Quynh Tran - Dinh Van
