Signs of revival from dead rivers
For many generations of Hanoians, the To Lich River has been a decades-long obsession with environmental pollution. The image of the black water and the characteristic foul smell, especially on hot summer days, has become an unfortunate memory. However, recently, positive signals have begun to appear, bringing hope for a change.
Wastewater collection, dredging and water supply projects are showing initial results. The stench has decreased significantly, and the color of the water is somewhat brighter.
Mr. Trinh Van Ky, a resident who regularly exercises along the river, excitedly said: "When I heard the news of the renovation of To Lich River, I was very excited and believed that this renovation would be very effective. Now, I feel like I'm getting better."
These changes come from synchronous solutions being implemented by the city.
According to a representative of the Hanoi Department of Construction, in the immediate future, the city will use the water after treatment of the Yen Xa wastewater treatment plant and West Lake, combined with the construction of dams to maintain stable water levels, improve the landscape immediately and create continuous flow, avoiding prison stagnation.
However, people still accept practically that these are just emotional improvements.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Hai (Lang ward, Hanoi) said that handling the smell and color of the water is necessary, but what people want more is a comprehensive change, turning this place into a truly livable public space, a green lung for the city.
Determined to revive
Faced with the reality of painful pollution and persistent cries for help from the people, on July 22, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Trong Dong signed and issued a Decision approving the Project to restore environmental quality and develop the system of 4 inner-city rivers including: To Lich, Kim Nguu, Lu, Set.
The Project on Environmental Quality Restoration and Development of the 4-ring system in the inner city includes 32 programs and projects implemented in the period of 2025 - 2030. Key contents include: Control and prevention of pollution; building an inner-city river system to develop in a balanced and ecological direction; design, planning and renovating landscape - architecture; enhancing management capacity and raising public awareness.
Some specific projects in the project include: Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Project; Project to build a wastewater collection system in the S1 basin to bring to Yen So Wastewater Treatment Plant; research and propose solutions to supplement water for the Kim Nguu, Lu, and Set rivers; overall investment project to build a water supplementation system, renovate and beautify the To Lich River...
The City People's Committee assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and coordinate with relevant departments, branches and sectors to organize the implementation of the project; responsible for urging, synthesizing and reporting the implementation results annually.
Based on the list of priority programs and projects approved by the City People's Committee attached to this decision, relevant units will develop a specific plan and summarize the implementation budget for each year, submit to competent authorities for consideration and approval according to regulations. The funding source for the project is arranged from the city budget, ward and commune budgets and other legally mobilized sources.
