Hanoi builds park on To Lich river bank: What people expect

Hanoi City is preparing to start construction of a park along both sides of the To Lich River. People hope that the long-polluted river will be revived into a green, clean space, contributing to improving the landscape and quality of life of the capital.

The Hanoi People's Committee has recently agreed on a list of eight key projects scheduled to start construction on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2025). This includes the project to invest in building a park along both sides of the To Lich River to turn the river into a green space, a landscape and ecological highlight serving the community.

On the morning of September 20, the treated water from Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant was officially supplied to To Lich River with a flow rate of about 200,000m³/day and night. Previously, on September 9, water from West Lake was led through a separate pipeline, not mixed with the wastewater supplied to To Lich River.

Expecting a new green space for Hanoi

Many readers of VietNamNet expressed their joy at the above information. With a length of more than 13 km, To Lich River used to be a symbol closely associated with the lives of Hanoians, but for many years it has been submerged in pollution. The commencement of the riverside park project, along with environmental treatment measures, is expected to "revive" the river, returning to the capital a green - cultural - historical space.

Reader Nguyen Van Dung (Cau Giay) sent his opinion: “For many years living next to To Lich River, we have suffered from pollution and foul odor all year round. The city has treated the river water. People really hope that the park project will be implemented soon to make the living space less stuffy.”

Another reader from Hoang Mai ward said that the park project is not only a landscape improvement, but also an opportunity to improve the quality of life: "If done properly, this will be a park - green tree line of dozens of kilometers long, bringing long-term benefits to the capital."

People hope that the project to build a park on the banks of the To Lich River will create a new green space for Hanoi. Photo: Thach Thao

"This is good news for all residents. However, it is necessary to approve designs that meet the criteria: clean, beautiful, useful, easy to maintain and convenient to repair. Just make wide, clean sidewalks, have walking paths, install railings on both sides of the river, place stone benches, lighting systems, plant shade trees with flowers such as royal poinciana, purple-flowered jacaranda or wind-flowers... In areas with large spaces, playgrounds, squares, monuments, or service areas can be arranged.

In my opinion, the current V-shaped riverbed is too steep and narrow, looking like a sewer or a small ditch, not beautiful. If it is dredged and widened to both sides to increase the water surface area, the river will have a more natural and harmonious shape (no need to be too deep). In addition, although the wastewater drainage system has been collected, there are still some open sewers that are too low. If it rains heavily and the river water rises about 1m, the risk of wastewater overflowing and causing pollution is very high," Mr. Nguyen Hoang Tuan (Ngoc Ha ward) proposed.

"Reviving the To Lich River is a great thing for the capital. People will have more space to entertain, relax, and rest after work; the landscape will become more beautiful, the air will be fresher and more airy. Just like Japan or Korea revived dead rivers, now those places have become attractive tourist destinations," said a reader named Thanh Huong.

Cong To Lich seen from above. Photo: Thach Thao

In addition, many comments sent to the editorial office emphasized that the project will only be truly successful when there is participation and consensus from the community. People hope that the park will retain its original function, not falling into a state of being "carved up" into business venues such as restaurants, wedding centers, supermarkets... or the green space will be narrowed by ancillary works.

Reader Pham Thi Hanh (Thanh Xuan) wrote: “We, the people, hope that the city will maintain the spirit of public parks. Let’s create a place for the community to walk, exercise, and play, not a place to add restaurants or service centers.”

From an expert's perspective, in a recent interview with VietNamNet , Dr. Architect Dao Ngoc Nghiem, Vice President of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, said that Hanoi's preparation to implement the park project along the To Lich River is a welcome sign, but the authorities need to study the urban design on both banks. At the same time, the city should refer to the project that Japan had established for Hanoi.

“Hanoi should conduct new research, but it needs to inherit experience from previous projects. Accordingly, new research must be linked to historical lessons and inherit past experience. In particular, the To Lich River is only a part of the capital, while Hanoi has a history of more than 1,000 years, so all memories should not be concentrated on the space on both sides of this river,” Architect Dao Ngoc Nghiem emphasized.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/ha-noi-xay-cong-vien-ben-bo-song-to-lich-nhung-dieu-nguoi-dan-ky-vong-2443014.html