Investments

Breathtaking Revival: Vietnam’s Top Conglomerate Transforms 2,000-Year-Old Hanoi River into Stunning Landmark

This vision will become a reality in just two years.

2 October, 2025

The Hanoi People’s Committee is expediting the completion of dossiers and procedures related to the renovation, embellishment, and reconstruction project of the To Lich River park along both banks, to report to the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee and the City Party Committee’s Executive Board before submitting it to the City People’s Council for consideration and approval of the investment policy.

Below are actual images of the To Lich River and the official design renderings of the To Lich Riverside Park Project. Readers can hover between the two sides for easy comparison.

At the 26th session of the Hanoi People’s Council on September 29, Chairman of the City People’s Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan emphasized the requirement for the People’s Committee to promptly finalize the report and submit the project dossier to ensure the implementation schedule. Previously, the investment policy content was planned to be included in the session’s agenda but was later temporarily removed. The project could not commence on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 – October 10, 2025) as initially expected.

The renovation, embellishment, and reconstruction project of the To Lich River park along both banks is one of the major urban infrastructure projects, expected to contribute to transforming the landscape and creating an unprecedented cultural, sports, and entertainment space for the capital’s residents.

The Hanoi People’s Committee stated that the preliminary total investment for the project is 4,670 billion VND, implemented under the Build-Transfer (BT) contract model.

The payment to the investor is expected to be made with land funds of over 94 hectares in Phuong Thinh commune, including approximately 47.6 hectares of commercial land (36.9 hectares of residential land and 10.7 hectares of commercial service land).

The project is prepared by Sun Group, with a pre-feasibility study report, and is expected to be implemented from Q3/2025 to Q3/2027.

The project will be implemented along both banks of the To Lich River, passing through many wards in central districts and towns such as Ngoc Ha, Nghia Do, Lang, Giang Vo, Cau Giay, Yen Hoa, Thanh Xuan, Dong Da, Khucg Dinh, Dinh Cong, Thanh Liet, and Hoang Liet. The project’s land use area is nearly 738,000 m2.

The planned investment items include a system of courts, roads, sidewalks, and squares; retaining walls and tree basins; riverside walking paths, parking lots, sports grounds, playgrounds, and pedestrian paths. Additionally, the project includes service facilities, architectural landmarks, auxiliary items, a green tree system, and various other utility equipment.

The To Lich River was originally a branch of the Cai River (now the Red River) and connected to West Lake. However, during the Nguyen Dynasty, due to changes in the Red River’s flow, the To Lich River’s mouth became silted up. In 1889, the French filled part of the riverbed to construct the 36 streets of Hanoi. Since then, the river’s flow has been fragmented, no longer connecting to the Red River or West Lake.

Without natural flow, the To Lich River became a recipient of large amounts of urban wastewater. The unimproved flow has led to severe pollution, turning a 2,000-year-old heritage into a massive “sewage canal.”

This situation not only deprives the capital of a valuable landscape but also negatively impacts the living environment of tens of thousands of residents along the river for decades.

Revitalizing the To Lich River is a top priority for Hanoi and the government. Improving water quality in rivers means improving the environment, and building riverside parks means enhancing the quality of life for urban residents, creating an unprecedented appearance for the To Lich River and a magnificent capital.