In response to the news of cutting down and moving some trees during the renovation of Ly Thai To flower garden that has caused a stir in public opinion in recent days, on the morning of March 24, the leaders of Hoan Kiem district gave an official response.

Accordingly, the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District said that the flower garden space will be rearranged into 3 main areas: Khanh tiet area adjacent to Dinh Tien Hoang street with an area of ​​about 5,637m2, the Octagonal yard area of ​​3,033m2 and the flower garden area behind adjacent to Ngo Quyen street with an area of ​​2,789m2.

For the tree category, through the count, there are 100 trees with 20 different types planted over many periods in the flower garden. The tree types include: Sua, Vang Anh, Than Mat, Bang Lang, Giang Huong, Barringtonia, Hoang Yen, Muong, Da, De, Lat, Soai, Phuong, Si, Sanh, Sua, Lan, Chay, Seu, and Dau Nuoc.

W-Ly Thai To flower garden 1.JPG.jpg
Ly Thai To flower garden area has many trees. Photo: Quang Vinh

Hoan Kiem district leaders affirmed that the renovation and repair of green trees will be carried out according to the principle: "Valuable trees, perennial trees, and ancient trees will not be affected, only small, worthless trees and diseased trees will be replaced and moved".

“The People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District proposed to move and replant 25 trees (of which 16 will be moved within the flower garden and 9 will be replaced with diseased trees). 30 trees will be replaced and supplemented with species suitable for Hanoi's climate. When completed, the total number of shade trees in Ly Thai To flower garden will be 114, an increase of 14 trees compared to before the renovation,” informed the leader of Hoan Kiem District.

Previously, the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District also reported to the City People's Committee about the relocation and replacement of 25 trees during the process of creating and upgrading Ly Thai To flower garden because they are located on the walking path and on the project's water music system. This information has received many conflicting opinions.

Speaking with VietNamNet reporter , architect Tran Huy Anh, Standing Member of Hanoi Architects Association, said that according to the spirit of the project, the renovation and upgrading of Ly Thai To flower garden will use technological solutions, without constructing any construction that will affect or block the space of Hoan Kiem Lake.

“Pruning and removing weak, diseased, and crooked trees is a regular and normal part of the maintenance process. During the implementation of the project to renovate and upgrade Ly Thai To flower garden and the construction of the zero milestone project, trees will need to be moved to clear the ground. However, it is not cutting them down as the public is concerned about, but simply moving them from one location to another,” said Mr. Anh.

Consulted with the community

The leader of Hoan Kiem district added that the plan to renovate and embellish Ly Thai To flower garden had completed the consultation with the community on February 25, 2025. The flower garden renovation is expected to start in April and be completed in October. The total preliminary investment of the project is about 182 billion VND from the Hoan Kiem district budget.

Accordingly, the detailed renovation plan is specific:

Celebration area: includes the lobby adjacent to Dinh Tien Hoang street, the celebration yard and the incense offering yard, in which the statue of King Ly Thai To is the highest part, the pedestal is kept intact, only the yard surface is covered. Expand the celebration yard towards the sidewalk of Dinh Tien Hoang street.

Km0 Hanoi item is located in the center of the festival yard.

Octagonal house area: Complete green landscape, lawn and yard area to increase connectivity with the central space axis.

The flower garden area (behind the statue of King Ly Thai To and the octagonal house, connecting to the State Bank square will be renovated, the landscape will be re-arranged, the walking path will have a water fountain system installed underground for use during festivals and holidays. The fountains are installed underground, so the flat surface of the yard is small in scale and does not affect the activities of people and tourists when coming to the flower garden.

Hoan Kiem district leaders also affirmed that Ly Thai To flower garden is not located within the protected area of ​​Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake area, but has an important function in connecting Hoan Kiem Lake with the surrounding area.

However, after more than 20 years of use, the infrastructure of Ly Thai To flower garden is not suitable, the grass, flower beds and walking paths have degraded, and need to be renovated to ensure the landscape and function suitable for the special national relic of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Where will metro line 2 C9 station be located after expanding Hoan Kiem Lake space?

Where will metro line 2 C9 station be located after expanding Hoan Kiem Lake space?

The implementation of metro line 2 connected to underground station C9 will be carried out according to the TOD model to enhance public space for Hoan Kiem Lake.
After relocation, where will 12 agencies and 35 households in Hoan Kiem Lake area be located?

After relocation, where will 12 agencies and 35 households in Hoan Kiem Lake area be located?

The Hanoi People's Committee has arranged a resettlement land fund of about 100 hectares in Dong Anh district for households in the Hoan Kiem Lake renovation project and arranged new offices for 12 organizations and agencies that must relocate.
More areas around Hoan Kiem Lake are planned to be turned into public spaces.

More areas around Hoan Kiem Lake are planned to be turned into public spaces.

The Hanoi People's Committee assigned the Department of Planning and Architecture and Hoan Kiem District to review land funds and current management status of the Le King Temple and Nam Huong Communal House area to study their use for public spaces.