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Street-vendor supression succeeds for now 5th July 2008

The new ban on street vendors and pavement parking has been effective so far... but how long will it last?
Bans on street vendors and pavement parking for selected streets in the capital appear to be working since they came into effect on Tuesday.

Ton Duc Thang Street’s pavement restore its order after the decision on banning street vendors and vehicles parking on the pavements has been implemented. But, the problem now facing city authorities is how to ensure that people keep obeying the new regulations in the months and years to come.

"People seem to obey new decisions in the first days that they take effect," said Bui Van Thong, deputy chairman of the Ba Dinh District People’s Committee. "However, the question now is how to maintain this situation."

Under strict supervision, streets of Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Cau Giay, Hai Ba Trung and Thanh Xuan districts are now clear of street vendors and vehicles parked on the pavement. Some shops affected by the bans are now co-operating with each other to rent somewhere for their customers to park, saving money and customers.

"People will get used to the bans like they got used to wearing helmets," Phan Anh said on Xuan Thuy Street. "However, right now people have to be supervised and reminded to obey the bans and form new habits." Chairman of Ha Noi’s People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao has asked all leaders of districts and relevant departments to prioritise the implementation of the regulations.

To establish orderly streets, it was necessary for all citizens to voluntarily obey the decisions, said Ngo Thi Doan Thanh, chairwoman of the Ha Noi People’s Council.

"Most people are doing so, but local authorities must remind them to keep it up, so new habits are formed," said Nguyen Hoang Linh, deputy director of Ha Noi’s Transport Department. Each district uses hundreds of officers, police and teams of volunteers to promote and supervise the bans. More than 330 advertising boards have been erected to let people know on which streets the bans apply.

"I’m very pleased that the pavements belong to the whole community again, not just to a few individuals," Le Thanh Huyen in Hoan Kiem District said. Despite such support from citizens, local authorities must find effective ways for street vendors, who are mainly from the countryside and very poor, to earn a living.

"I have had to stop selling bread on Hang Chuoi Street, although my family depends on this business," Le Thi Hien, 34, said.

"If they ban street vendors outright, I will have to return to farming in the countryside," Ngo Thi Ly, originally from Ha Tay Province, said. "My three children would have to drop out from school because I wouldn’t have enough money."

There are 10,000 street vendors in the capital and 90 per cent of them have migrated from the countryside.
However, at the moment, bans on street vendors and pavement parking only apply to 62 out of 670 streets in the city, according to Nguyen Thi Nhu Mai, deputy head of the Industry and Commerce Department. The city had not banned street vendors from all streets, said Mai. In the long-term, the city would find solutions to create favourable conditions for people to keep their businesses.

Citizen solutions

Some citizens have put forward their ideas to make the city more orderly and civilised. "The city should have clear guidance for street vendors about where they can sell their goods," said Vu Van Loc on Tay Son Street. "On banned streets, they must be made aware of small lanes and residential grounds nearby where they are permitted."

"Allowing street vending to continue helps poor people to earn a living and also makes it convenient for busy people to buy food," said Loc.

Punishments for violators of the bans and further decisions of the local authorities must be made known. Such transparency would help the bans take long-term effect, said Hoang Trong Hieu on Hoan Kiem District’s Cau Dong Street.

"The city should provide common parking areas on streets for local shops’ customers to leave their vehicles," said Nguyen Thu Trang on Kim Lien Street. "If people aren’t inconvenienced they will voluntarily follow the new regulations."

Source: VNS

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