Hanoi promotes West Lake's values

The Hanoi People's Committee has approved regulations to preserve and promote the potential values and advantages of West Lake.

The move would help the district's goal of turning West Lake and its surrounding area into green, civilized urban areas whose environment would be strictly protected, according to Nguyen Thanh Tinh, Deputy Chairman of the Tay Ho District People's Committee.

"West Lake is Hanoi's largest freshwater body, located Northwest of downtown Hanoi, with an area of more than 500 hectares and a shoreline of 17 kilometers. The lake is an iconic attraction for locals and visitors, with 71 historical and cultural relics located around it," said Tinh. 

A bird's eye view of West Lake. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

To ensure the lake unpolluted, the city government has stepped up environmental monitoring of West Lake, landscape rehabilitation, wastewater management, and cleaning of the lake's surface.

"In previous years, in 2017, Hanoi decided to shut down floating restaurants and yachts in the West Lake that failed to meet fire prevention conditions and discharged waste, causing serious pollution of the water environment and killing tonnes of fish," Tinh said.

He highlighted the district's project to build the interconnected cultural parks around the West Lake; to develop cultural, tourism, and economic offerings; and to promote the value of the lake and surrounding areas.

Duong Duc Tuan, Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, praised the careful preparation of the Tay Ho District People's Committee, which had drawn up an elaborate and detailed project with the help of experts, scientists, and consultants.

"The city authorities have also developed a plan for urban subdivision around the West Lake area and its surroundings, creating favorable conditions for the project's execution," Tuan said.

The recently established West Lake Management Board is responsible for assisting the Tay Ho District People's Committee in the comprehensive, centralized, and unified management of the lake area and its surroundings in accordance with the regulations of the Municipal People's Committee.

The Board is also tasked with leading and coordinating with relevant units to formulate projects and plans for the management and development of the West Lake and its surrounding areas; to preserve historical cultural relics, landscapes, and the environment; and to ensure the sustainable development of the West Lake and its surrounding areas.

Tuan praised Tay Ho District's approach to developing the project and asked the Tay Ho District People's Committee and the consultancy units to complete the project as soon as possible.

West Lake is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Hanoi and an iconic place in the capital city. With a serene and tranquil beauty, West Lake would definitely be an escape for those tired of the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Tourists (or even locals) looking for a respite can be totally satisfied standing in front of West Lake, which offers a harmonious combination of a poetic lake, solemn historical temples, amazing activities, and unforgettable food.