First time organizing "Car-Free Day" in Vietnam

Aiming to build Hoi An city into an Eco-Cultural-Tourist city, on September 9, in Hoi An city, the People's Committee of Hoi An city coordinated with the Action Center for Urban Development in Vietnam and the Irish Aid Agency to organize a bicycle parade in response to the first "Smoke-free Day" event in Hoi An and "Plastic Bag-free Day."

Students participate in the "Smoke-free Day" activity.
(Source: chinhphu.vn)

First launched in the city of La Rossshelle in France in 1997, “Car Free Day” has developed into a European-scale project and is held every September 22. Up to now, it has become a key event in “European Traffic Week” and has gradually spread around the world with the participation of 268 cities in 40 countries. This is the first time the program has been held in Vietnam.Malewith many practical activities.

In order to promote and respond to the events “No Vehicle Smoke Day” and “No Plastic Bag Day,” from early morning, more than 300 people from agencies, organizations and people of Hoi An city actively participated in the bicycle parade through the ancient streets.

In addition, there were also outdoor exhibitions of images and information about “Smoke-free Day and Sustainable Transportation” in the Sculpture Garden area; the program “Exchange plastic bags for eco-bags” at five markets in Hoi An City. In particular, near An Hoi Bridge, more than 50 students participated in a children’s painting contest with the theme “Safe Road to School”.

According to the organizers, the program is organized to help call on people to choose public transport, test solutions to reduce dependence on cars and motorbikes, and limit human impact on the natural environment. At the same time, it is an opportunity for city leaders and citizen organizations to promote the use of environmentally friendly means of transport such as bicycles and electric vehicles.

Mr. Shinichi Mochizuki, Coordinator of “European Transport Week” in Japan, said that “Car Free Day” is a very important day for many cities around the world. Because it has raised the impact of traffic behavior on global warming and also raised the risks brought about by massive urban development.

According to VNA-M