District wants to dredge Hanoi icon West Lake at $81M

The dredging is part of a long-term plan to renovate the lake that will comprise work to build wharves along it at the cost VND1.6 trillion and a water fountain in the middle, as well as a technical system costing VND600 billion.

The district said it will use its own budget to cover VND1.2 trillion of the proposed sum and suggested the city uses its state budget for the remaining sum.

At a meeting with city legislators back in 2016, Tay Ho District said it had dredged 440,000 cubic meters of mud from West Lake on four different occasions since 2011, costing VND128 billion.

However, more work was suspended that year after fish died en mass in the lake. No related work has been carried out since.

Spanning 500 hectares, West Lake is a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

Surrounding the lake are various temples, pagodas, and gardens, making it a cultural and historical hub. Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest in Vietnam, sits on a small island near the southeastern shore of the lake.

However, the lake has faced issues of pollution over the years. It receives wastewater from residential areas, commercial establishments, and industrial sources.

The lake water often shows signs of eutrophication, characterized by the excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants, which reduces oxygen levels and affects aquatic life, especially the fish.