Brian Jeffrey
The Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Tran Sy Thanh, has set a firm deadline for completing the Red River water supply system to the To Lich River by September 2, 2025.
On December 2, Hanoi Party Secretary Bui Thi Minh Hoai and Chairman Tran Sy Thanh reviewed the progress of the Yen Xa wastewater treatment project and the efforts to revitalize the To Lich River.
Hoang Trong Tung, the Director of the Hanoi Technical Infrastructure and Agricultural Investment Project Management Board, announced that the Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant, designed to handle 270,000 cubic meters daily, has finished construction and is currently undergoing trial runs.
The interceptor sewer system related to the To Lich River is almost completed at 98%, with all pipeline works done and wastewater being channeled to the treatment facility since May 29, 2024. Restorations of affected areas are now in progress.
For the interceptor sewer along the Lu River, the city is working on transferring funding from official development assistance (ODA) to the municipal budget. Construction in the Ha Dong District section of the sewer system is currently 22% complete.
Both Secretary Bui Thi Minh Hoai and Chairman Tran Sy Thanh highlighted the necessity of maintaining a consistent water supply to rejuvenate the To Lich River. Now that wastewater is being treated at the Yen Xa facility, refilling the river is the next vital task.
Director Hoang Trong Tung proposed a plan to move water from the Red River to West Lake, subsequently directing it to the To Lich River through a dedicated pipeline, which could ensure a water supply for cleaning within six months.
During the talks, project managers and the Hanoi Department of Construction discussed strategies for managing sludge and the logistics of water transfer from West Lake to the To Lich River.
Recognizing previous delays in the Yen Xa plant and To Lich River sewer system projects, Chairman Tran Sy Thanh requested strict adherence to deadlines. He put forth an urgent plan to facilitate the water transfer from the Red River to West Lake, suggesting a three-month guideline for administrative procedures and a six-month timeline for construction.
“This project must be completed by September 2, 2025, come what may,” Thanh asserted, underlining the importance of safeguarding the natural ecosystems of both West Lake and the To Lich River during the process.
In a meeting on November 27 with the Hanoi Party Committee, General Secretary To Lam identified two top priorities: tackling environmental pollution and alleviating traffic congestion, with an immediate focus on water pollution concerns, especially in the To Lich River.
Chairman Tran Sy Thanh mentioned that Hanoi has committed to developing six centralized wastewater treatment facilities, mainly to benefit urban areas south of the Red River, including the To Lich River basin, all processing up to 314,300 cubic meters of wastewater each day.
Alongside trial operations at the Yen Xa plant, the city is finalizing plans for the initiative titled “Environmental Quality Restoration and Development of Hanoi’s Four Inner-City Rivers: To Lich, Kim Nguu, Lu, and Set,” aimed at collecting and treating wastewater, implementing advanced treatment technologies, and enhancing the rivers’ aesthetics.
By 2025, significant improvements in both the environmental condition and visual appeal of the To Lich River are anticipated, leading to a better quality of life for the residents of Hanoi.
