Artists perform at the opening ceremony on May 11.

Trinh Cong Son walking street runs from Alley 612 off Lac Long Quan street to the Au Co T-junction. The street, named after Trinh Cong Son, one of Vietnam’s greatest songwriters, is designed to be a venue of art displays, performances of traditional and contemporary art genres, and folk games.

Kiosks along Trinh Cong Son walking street.

A stage for performances of Trinh Cong Son’s music will be a distinctive feature of the walking street. 60 kiosks, modelled after ancient houses of Hanoi and Hoi An, will sell souvenirs and food from many parts of Vietnam. Visitors can enjoy Phu Thuong steamed glutinous rice, West Lake shrimp cakes, rice vermicelli with snails, lotus sweet soup, and other Hanoi specialties. Handicraft products of villages around Hanoi will be on sale.

A romantic view by the walking street.

Visitor Tran Thu Trang said: “It’s fantastic to go to the walking street. Kiosks are imitated old houses of Hanoi and Hoi An. There are many shops selling souvenirs and handmade items. The To He, colourful figurines made from glutinous rice powder, reminds me of my childhood. The walking street will attract more visitors because it is a large open space near a lotus pond.”