Hoi An's Tran Phu Street to ban vendors, begging, and plastic bags to enhance tourism experience on one of the world's most beautiful streets.
Hoi An’s famous Tran Phu Street, recently named one of the most beautiful streets globally by Architectural Digest, will soon undergo significant changes aimed at improving its appeal to foreign tourists. In an effort to preserve the charm of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the local authorities will restrict the presence of street vendors, beggars, and plastic bags.

The new regulations, which will apply to both Tran Phu and neighboring Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets, mark the areas as "civilized streets." Under this policy, businesses must display prices clearly, refrain from soliciting tourists, and ensure that all interactions with visitors remain friendly and professional. To enforce these measures, patrol forces will be actively deployed to curb unwanted behaviors such as solicitation, begging, and noise pollution. The policy will be in a trial phase until the end of the year.

These efforts are part of a broader push by the Hoi An authorities to maintain the city's reputation as a top tourist destination. The kilometer-long Tran Phu Street, once bustling during the French colonial period, is now lined with Chinese-style pagodas, museums, and quaint eateries.

In August, Tran Phu Street was named one of the 71 most beautiful streets in the world, a title that highlights Hoi An’s unique blend of architectural history and vibrant local culture. The city’s characteristic yellow-walled buildings, brown-tiled roofs, and lively souvenir shops add to its allure.

Hoi An's charm continues to attract a growing number of international tourists, with nearly two million foreign visitors in the first half of 2024, a 32% increase compared to the previous year. These new policies aim to balance the influx of tourism with preserving the city’s heritage and charm.