Joseph Gobin Photographer

Stopping on the sidewalk to have a cup of ice-tea, smoke a cigarette and discuss a little bit about this and that ; the social classes mix together and the street becomes a public space to be appropriated.

Since September 2016, the banks of Lake Hoan Kiem are closed to traffic from Friday till Sunday night. Located right in the heart of Hanoi, the pedestrianized space is filled with passerby of all kinds enjoying one of the rare traffic-free promenade of the capital. Hip-Hop dancing, skipping rope, karaoke and much more is taking place in a collective feel good atmosphere. Each and everyone can please themselves and children are having a blast amidst this joyful cacophony with party balloons on their wrist or at the wheel of a kid’s jeep.