Hồ Tây (West Lake) in Hà Nội at sunset. — VNA/VNS Photo Khánh Hòa

Placed under the authority of Tây Hồ District People’s Committee, the board has its own legal representative, seal and transaction accounts according to the laws. 

The board’s tasks and missions include advising the authorities on managing West Lake and its surrounding area; leading and coordinating other stakeholders to develop plans and projects on managing, investing and making use of the lake; preserving historical and cultural relics, landscape and environment to ensure the sustainable development of the area. 

Spanning 526 hectares, Hồ Tây is a significant attraction of the capital city with 71 historical and cultural relics located in its surroundings, said Tây Hồ District Party Committee Secretary Lê Thị Thu Hằng.

These sites include Trấn Quốc and Kim Liên pagodas, Tây Hồ Temple (Phủ Tây Hồ), alongside numerous long-standing craft villages An Thái Bưởi dó paper, Nhật Tân peach blossom and Quảng An lotus tea villages. 

The West Lake management board is assigned to develop a key operation programme for the year 2024, of which the priority is to develop a project on “planning, managing, preserving and promoting the values of the West Lake and its surroundings”.

The project is also expected to elevate Tây Hồ District as a prominent cultural and tourism centre of the capital city. 

During a meeting with Tây Hồ District on January 11, Hà Nội Party Committee agreed to transfer the management authority of the West Lake to the district instead of the eight city departments in the past. 

Highlighting the significance of the lake to the capital city and the country as a whole Hà Nội Party Secretary Đinh Tiến Dũng said that Tây Hồ District must effectively protect and take advantage of the West Lake for a green, clean and beautiful landscape and tourism attraction. 

Sharing the same viewpoint, Hà Nội People’s Committee Chairman Trần Sỹ Thanh said that authorities and the people must recognise the lake as a core value for development, and have the vision to elevate the lake’s reputation beyond Hà Nội to regional and international levels. 

The city and its departments will accompany the district in realising this ambition, he said. — VNS