Doan Ngoc Hai shuts down sidewalk parking lots as campaign continues

Several sidewalk parking lots in downtown Ho Chi Minh City had their licenses revoked after Deputy Chairman Doan Ngoc Hai resurrected his sidewalk clearing ‘crusade’ on Wednesday evening.

Following the surprise crackdown on Monday night, the first after a four-month hiatus, Hai, vice-chairman of the People’s Committee in District 1, and his team of officers hit the pavement in search of those illegally occupying sidewalks.

Two parking venues along Thi Sach and Nguyen Sieu Streets were found to be encroaching on the public footpath, resulting in the revocation of their business license.

Other violations of the public space included several illegally parked automobiles which were subsequently towed by Hai and his team.

The sidewalk clearance campaign began earlier this year when Hai took it upon himself to enforce the district’s often ignored sidewalk occupancy laws. 

Taking note of the campaign’s positive reception by local citizens, other neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City followed suit until the initiative suddenly ended in late March.

During a meeting last Friday, Hai called on Ho Chi Minh City chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong to grant him full authority to resurrect the campaign, this time with even more control.

Hai’s campaign was put into effect on 134 streets across District 1 and eventually positive impacts were recorded on 116 of them, or 86 percent of the targeted area, according to the district administration.

A sidewalk parking lot in downtown Ho Chi Minh City has its license revoked for encroaching on a public footpath. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A car is towed in District 1. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A luxurious car is sealed after being parked on the promenade. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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