The Hanoi People's Committee recently approved the "Preservation and Promotion of Ho Tay Area and Adjacent Areas Values" project, encompassing a research scope of over 2,400 hectares. This includes Ho Tay, which covers more than 527 hectares, the Red River area with approximately 700 hectares, and a total green space and water surface area of about 1,227 hectares. The project's scope covers Tay Ho and Phu Thuong wards, as well as portions of Hong Ha, Xuan Dinh, Nghia Do, and Ba Dinh areas.

The project aims to preserve ecological value, improve the lake's water quality, develop cultural tourism, create innovative spaces, enhance transport connectivity, and establish suitable urban planning.

According to the project, the Ho Tay area is envisioned as an international destination for residents and tourists, serving as the city's cultural and creative economic hub, with cultural heritage and the ecological environment at its core. The central Quang An peninsula area is expected to become a political and cultural space, hosting internal, external, and other important events.

To meet development requirements, the project outlines the upgrade and expansion of certain road sections around the lake, ensuring a minimum cross-section of three-four lanes according to urban road standards. Remaining routes will be improved and expanded based on their current status to meet transport demands.

The project identifies 19 land plots with potential for tourism, cultural, and commercial service development. These include five parks and the Bat Canh Tay Ho area, seven locations for tourism-cultural projects, and six sites designated for developing tourism ecosystems.

Roads around Ho Tay are expected to be expanded to three-four lanes. Photo: Giang Huy

A system of six boat docks is planned, comprising three main and three auxiliary docks. These docks will allow the use of Ho Tay's water surface for boarding platforms, connecting bridges, waiting areas, green spaces, and auxiliary facilities. Initially, the city will phase investment for the three main docks located at the Ngoc Trai theater area, the ceramic twin dragons area, and a flower garden on Nguyen Dinh Thi street. An evaluation will follow to consider investment in the auxiliary docks.

Specific details for investment in roads around Ho Tay, boat docks, flower gardens, parking lots, and underground spaces will be determined during the local adjustment of the Ho Tay urban sub-zone planning (A6), at a scale of 1/2000, and during project implementation.

The project also plans for two underground parking lots at the Lac Long Quan and Ly Tu Trong flower gardens. Additionally, underground parking facilities may be incorporated into urban green spaces around Ho Tay to meet demand.

At the future metro stations C5, C6, C7 of line two (Nam Thang Long - Tran Hung Dao section) and the line five station at the Van Cao - Thuy Khue - Nguyen Dinh Thi intersection, the city plans to develop a transit-oriented development (TOD) model integrated with underground parking. The specific scale and location will be determined in a later phase, in accordance with regulations.

Ho Tay is the largest natural freshwater lake northwest of central Hanoi, spanning over 526 hectares with a circumference of approximately 15 kilometers. It formed from an old section of the Red River. Research indicates that Ho Tay's ecosystem is diverse, featuring 72 species of phytoplankton, 47 species of benthic algae, 37 species of zooplankton, 29 species of benthic animals, 12 species of crustaceans, and 46 species of fish.

Vo Hai