Hanoi authorities are stepping up enforcement against illegal use of sidewalks and footpaths, which has reduced the city’s long-running “kerb culture” of street vending and curbside seating. Multiple reports describe how pavements on major boulevards and smaller lanes have commonly hosted food stalls, scooters, and drinkers sitting on low stools, while vendors, parking, and other curb activities have often been tolerated informally. In recent months, that approach has changed as local enforcement actions curb unauthorized peddling and related obstruction of pedestrian movement. Reports say authorities are now fining people who place tables or items on sidewalks in ways that spill into road space or force pedestrians into the roadway. One account adds that city officials are considering increasing penalties, potentially doubling the fines. The enforcement is framed as an effort to address blocked foot traffic and parking-related disruptions, affecting both vendors and pedestrians. The reports do not indicate a specific end date for the crackdown, but they describe a sustained shift toward stricter compliance with sidewalk rules.