Hanoi already has such infrastructure on Nguyen Trai Boulevard. However, these corridors are positioned laterally on either side of the main carriageway and are used by bicycles and motorcycles. In Phase 1 of the Yen Phu project, the objective will be to put in the first dedicated bus lane in the centre of carriageway and thus reduce traffic on this busy road by separating buses from the main flow of vehicles. This operation is actually a test project and will be replicable for other exclusive right-of-way lanes elsewhere on the capital’s busiest streets, as well as on sections of ring roads such as Yen Phu Boulevard. At the same time, this project will attempt to improve the quality of the Hanoi bus service, highlighting accessibility, safety and rapidity. The operation is of further interest in that it is taking place on one of the capital city’s strategic thoroughfares, bordering on a historical and tourist district of the old city and linking Long Bien Bridge to the Sofitel Plaza Hotel junction.

In Phase 2, Yen Phu Boulevard will come under an urban development approach that will have lanes set aside for light traffic (a protected cycleway on either side of the boulevard) and widened sidewalks for pedestrians. An added feature is that the redevelopment operation includes improved street lighting. Since the Hanoi 1,000th anniversary celebrations in 2010 will include a ceramic frieze on the dyke wall along the western section of the boulevard, there will soon be heavy tourist traffic along this roadway.