Coffee shops completely occupy the sidewalks of many streets in Vinh City.

(Baonghean.vn) - Sidewalk cafes that completely occupy pedestrian areas on many streets in Vinh City have existed for decades but have not been definitively resolved.This leads to chaos, disrupts traffic safety and order, and detracts from urban aesthetics.

Both sides of the sidewalk on Thai Phien Street (the section connecting Dinh Cong Trang Street to Ngu Hai Street) are encroached upon by cafes. Among them, Thao My My cafe has so many tables and chairs that customers sit and drink coffee, completely filling the sidewalk and leaving no space for pedestrians.

Ms. Tran Thi Loan from Le Mao ward said: “My house is on Ngu Hai street, and I frequently use this road to go to the market. With no sidewalks, pedestrians have to share the road with vehicles, which is very dangerous. I heard that the city is launching a campaign to clear the sidewalks, and I hope it will be completed to return the sidewalks to pedestrians.”

Thao My My coffee shop on Thai Phien Street (Vinh City). Photo: Thanh Tam

Customers drinking coffee, vehicles completely occupying the sidewalk. Photo: Thanh Tam

The Gà Tre coffee shop on Ho Xuan Huong Street in Quang Trung Ward has dozens of tables and chairs that completely occupy the sidewalk. Not only that, the shop also provides parking for customers right next to it. During peak hours, when the sidewalk is narrow, customers have to park their vehicles on the road.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hien from Quang Trung ward expressed his frustration: "They've placed tables and chairs, completely blocking the sidewalk, and parked motorbikes in rows, making the already narrow road even narrower. It's very dangerous for pedestrians to walk here."

The section of Nguyen Cong Tru Street from Phan Dinh Phung Street to Dang Thai Than Street is approximately 200 meters long, yet it has two sidewalk cafes. Not only do they place tables and chairs that completely block the pedestrian walkway, but the Loi Nho cafe also places dozens of potted plants along the edge of the sidewalk to obstruct the view of passersby.

Also located in Quang Trung ward, the Ông Lượng football-themed cafe on Nguyễn Nhiệm street has tables and chairs scattered all over the sidewalk, and customers' vehicles parked horizontally across the road and sidewalk for many years, causing traffic safety hazards and disrupting urban order.

Mr. Luong's coffee shop is encroaching on the sidewalk of Nguyen Nghiem Street. Photo: Thanh Tam.

Mr. Ha Thai Son, Chairman of the Quang Trung Ward People's Committee, said: "Regarding the issue of cafes placing tables and chairs encroaching on sidewalks and customers parking their vehicles on the road, the ward has repeatedly reminded, educated, and confiscated the violating furniture. This time, the ward will be more decisive in clearing the area. We will compile a list of violating businesses, issue specific violation notices to each household; and encourage them to voluntarily dismantle and clear the area. Anyone who deliberately violates the regulations will be severely punished."

Thanh Tam