National Conference on solutions to turn To Lich River into a historical - cultural - spiritual park

The conference was organized by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) in collaboration with the Hanoi People's Committee, the Japan - Vietnam Environmental Group Joint Stock Company (JVE Group) and the Center for Translation, Cultural and Technological Scientific Services (a scientific and technological organization under VUSTA).

Scene of the Conference

Delivering opening remarks at the conference, President of VUSTA, Dr. Sc. Phan Xuan Dung stated that: To Lich river which has adhered to the land of Thang Long - Hanoi for thousands of years of history, has been affected by serious pollution. Some sub-branches of this river are concreted. Therefore, it requires a political determination associated with comprehensive solutions to revive the river, otherwise it is likely to become a dead one.

VUSTA president Phan Xuan Dung delivered his opening speech

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan shared that the inner rivers of Hanoi such as To Lich, Kim Nguu, Lu, and Set play a vital role in the city's general drainage system and also are of great value in terms of history, landscape, architecture and environment. These rivers are now severely contaminated while Hanoi has not yet to have a comprehensive solution to completely fix the problem, Tuan added. Therefore, in the strategy of urban renovation, embellishment, reconstruction and development, it is an urgent task for Hanoi city to revive To Lich, Kim Nguu, Lu and Set rivers in order to enhance the historical, cultural, landscape, architectural, environmental and technical values of the inner-city urban areas.

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan spoke at the event

At the conference, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Japan - Vietnam Environmental Group Joint Stock Company briefly introduced project titled "Solutions to turn To Lich river into a historical – cultural – spirituality park (Vietnam - Japan Friendship Park) and cultural institutions, anti-flood tunnel system combined with underground highway along the To Lich river" proposed by the company. Accordingly, the project has a total length of 12.6km, starting point at the confluence of 5 intersecting roads: Hoang Quoc Viet - Lac Long Quan - Vo Chi Cong - Hoang Hoa Tham - Cho Buoi (upstream), along the river to the ending point at Thanh Liet dam (downstream). The scale consists of 2 items: Component of anti-flood tunnel system combined with underground highway (ground) and Renovating To Lich river into "History - culture - spirituality park" (above the river). The purpose of the project is to revive the heavily polluted To Lich river, turn it into a destination of history and culture, marked by thousands of years of Thang Long civilization, associated with history of the capital Hanoi and the country; promote and enhance the historical, cultural, landscape, architectural, environmental and technical values of the inner city. It is proposed that the project costs are covered by ODA preferential loans provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and domestic matching funds.

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Japan - Vietnam Environmental Group Joint Stock Company presented the project at the event

Participants focused on discussing the purpose of the project which not only revitalizes the historic river but also creates a "cultural highlight", attracting domestic and foreign tourists coming to Hanoi Capital.

Participants of the event

Concluding the Conference, President of VUSTA Phan Xuan Dung welcomed scientific ideas of the project as well as comments from participants. Relevant agencies will take into consideration all recommendations to complete the proposal and promote investment in the time to come.