VietNamNet Bridge – Many construction experts say that the plan to build a port at the West Lake may destroy the landscape of the lake.

According to a plan that was recently submitted to the Hanoi authorities, a wharf will be built on two hectares of water surface, using ferro-concrete stakes, in the Nhat Tan ward.

Experts said that the construction of such a wharf must have opinions from relevant agencies, because the government has listed four areas in Hanoi as the areas that are specially protected: Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi old quarter and the West Lake.

“Any change to the landscape of the West Lake must have the government’s approval,” said Dao Ngoc Nghiem, Vice Chair of the Hanoi Urban Planning and Development Association.

Experts said that though the West Lake is a specially protected area, many floating houses and ships are operating illegally in the lake.

West Lake is a freshwater lake in the center of Hanoi. With a shore length of 17 km, this is the largest lake of the capital and a popular place for recreation with many surrounding gardens, hotels and villas. A small part of West Lake is divided by Thanh Nien road to form Truc Bach Lake. One district of Hanoi is named after the lake, Tay Ho district.

As the largest lake and located right in the center of Hanoi, West Lake is rammed with many gardens, hotels, restaurants and other entertaining centers. For this reason, real estate price of areas near West Lake is staggering and the surrounding quarters are often full with high-class villas of every style of architecture.

PV