New excuse, old trick

In any country, investment in construction to construct, renovate and develop urban or rural areas is completely normal and necessary.

The same is true for Hanoi. Every year, the city invests in hundreds of projects and constructions to upgrade infrastructure to serve socio-economic development, security and defense, and people's lives. From 2022, Hanoi's budget will prioritize investment in three areas: Health, education and training, and culture. Thousands of new projects will be built, renovated, and upgraded, contributing to standardizing the education and health systems, preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of Thang Long - Hanoi, and improving people's welfare and lives.

Right from the beginning of the 2020-2025 term, the Hanoi Party Committee issued Program No. 03-CTr/TU dated March 17, 2021 on "Urban beautification, urban development and urban economy in the period of 2021-2025". Up to now, after 4 years of implementation, the city has made a clear change in the renovation of parks and flower gardens alone, with 62 parks and flower gardens renovated and upgraded, reaching 137.7%.

In order to concretize Program No. 03-CTr/TU, the Party Committee and the authorities of Hoan Kiem District have developed a methodical program and implementation plan. The Hoan Kiem District Party Committee issued Program No. 04-CTr/QU on August 6, 2021 on "Renovation, embellishment and urban development of Hoan Kiem District". On that basis, the District People's Committee has deployed preparations for investment in the project to renovate and embellish Ly Thai To flower garden.

Ly Thai To flower garden space. Photo: PV

Ly Thai To Flower Garden is located in Trang Tien Ward, measuring 212m x 54.051m with a total area of ^11,459m2 , not within the protected area of Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake; limited by the streets: Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Thach, Le Lai and Ngo Quyen. This flower garden has an important function in connecting Hoan Kiem Lake with the surrounding area, including: Dien Hong Flower Garden, the square space in front of the State Bank and valuable architectural works, such as: Government Guest House, Hanoi Party Committee headquarters, Hanoi People's Council - People's Committee, Metropole Hotel...

In 2020, Hanoi city carried out the embankment of Hoan Kiem Lake and renovated and renovated the technical infrastructure in sync with the walking paths and flower beds at Hoan Kiem Lake Park; but Ly Thai To flower garden has not been renovated or renovated. Up to now, after more than 20 years of use, the infrastructure and current status of trees in Ly Thai To flower garden are assessed as unsuitable; the grass, flower beds and walking paths have degraded and need to be renovated to ensure the landscape and functionality appropriate to the special national relic of Hoan Kiem Lake.

The plan to renovate and enhance Ly Thai To flower garden is expected to arrange the space into three main areas: the celebration area adjacent to Dinh Tien Hoang street with an area of ^5,637m2 ; the Octagonal courtyard area with an area of ^3,033m2 ; the flower garden area behind adjacent to Ngo Quyen street with an area of ^2,789m2 .

In particular, for the green tree category, Hoan Kiem district said that Ly Thai To flower garden has a variety of trees planted over many periods with a total of 100 trees (20 types), such as: Sua, Vang Anh, Than Mat, Bang Lang, Giang Huong, Barringtonia, Hoang Yen, Muong, Da, De, Lat, Soai, Phuong, Si, Sanh, Sua, Lan, Chay, Seu, Dau Nuoc. The principle of renovation and embellishment of this category is clearly stated by Hoan Kiem district that valuable trees, perennial trees, and ancient trees will not be affected, only small trees of no value, diseased trees will be replaced and moved.

The People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District proposed to move and relocate 25 trees (of which 16 trees will be moved within the flower garden and 9 diseased trees will be replaced). In addition, the district will replace and supplement 23 trees 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). This renovation and embellishment plan has also completed the consultation with the community on February 25, 2025.

Previously, implementing the direction of the Central Government, City Party Committee, and City People's Committee on implementing research and investment in building public spaces around Hoan Kiem Lake to serve the community, Hoan Kiem District People's Committee deployed the planning of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square area and the public space area east of Hoan Kiem Lake.

In particular, the district identifies the main spatial orientation as preserving the characteristic image of the Hoan Kiem Lake area; improving the landscape around Hoan Kiem Lake, preserving, embellishing, managing and protecting according to the Law on Cultural Heritage around valuable relics, on Dinh Tien Hoang, Ly Thai To, Hang Khay streets... and around public squares such as Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square, square in the area of King Ly Thai To monument...

Preserve and embellish the architectural landscape space of works with historical, cultural and revolutionary values, such as: Ngoc Son Temple, Ba Kieu Temple, Hanoi Post Office, Trang Tien Trade Center, the area of the Martyrs' Monument for the Fatherland's survival...; relocate a number of units and agencies to plan, renovate and upgrade the headquarters of the city's agencies; add public utility works for high-quality tourism and culture; improve urban infrastructure and environmental conditions for the area; preserve and embellish the green water surface space, connecting the Hoan Kiem Lake area with the old quarter, the old town, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and the Red River. Develop more flower gardens, miniature landscapes, and walkways in the spaces for renovating and rebuilding works in the area...

It can be said that the renovation and embellishment of Ly Thai To flower garden is not only carried out according to a systematic program and plan, but is also placed in the overall context to promote the cultural, historical and architectural values of Hoan Kiem Lake space, increase vitality and attraction to develop cultural and tourism industries, and improve the material and spiritual life of the people.

Such a methodical approach and good policy were immediately denied by bad elements, accused of destroying trees, destroying sacred spaces, and distorted as corruption and negativity...

The "familiar" hostile organizations, famous reactionary and anti-government social media accounts immediately jumped in to "tear apart" and dig up dirt. With the same old tricks, they clung to the new excuse of details about green tree trimming to focus on attacking, plotting to create an ugly, irresponsible, and destructive image of the government, with the aim of creating public opinion that was indignant and angry... in order to divide the solidarity between the Party committee, the government and the people; inciting gatherings and protests...

These people do not care about the necessity of the project, how to research and implement the project, or place the project in the overall renovation and upgrading of the Hoan Kiem Lake area to both preserve and create new vitality for the area.

Unfortunately, many people are gullible, easily manipulated, and without careful research... immediately follow the movement to oppose the project, hindering a normal, necessary job of a state agency.

Of course, for any project or public work using the budget, from the idea to the procedures and implementation, all must comply with legal regulations. Violations, regardless of the form, must be fully responsible before the Party and the law. For projects not in the security and defense category, it is normal and necessary for the press and people to monitor, give comments and feedback. Correct and reasonable opinions need to be accepted to bring the best results for the project.

However, we cannot allow hostile and reactionary forces to arbitrarily distort and sabotage. We have the responsibility to inspect and supervise, but at the same time we need to resolutely speak out to clearly show our stance in support of the policy of renovating and beautifying Hoan Kiem Lake in general and Ly Thai To Flower Garden in particular, for an increasingly greener, cleaner, more beautiful Hanoi, worthy of being the "Cultured - Civilized - Modern" Capital.

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