Hanoi authorities will remove all fencing around Thong Nhat (Reunification) Park in a plan to turn the entire park into a public space freely accessible to people. 

People have a walk and do exercises in Thong Nhat Park. Photo: The Hanoi Times

In early December 2022, the first 400 meters of the fence facing Tran Nhan Tong Street were removed to connect the park with the street along the Thien Quang Lake, turning the whole place into a pedestrian zone on weekends, where various cultural and social activities will take place. 

Other sections of the fence remained on Dai Co Viet, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, and Le Duan streets.

The decision is part of the renovation plan that the municipal People's Committee is considering to improve the conditions of the city's public spaces.

According to locals and urban planning experts, the removal of the fence will allow the pedestrian area to host a wider range of large-scale entertainment events.

In addition to removing the fence, local authorities will renovate the park's facilities, add more attractions, and install more surveillance cameras.

The cost of the renovation plan is estimated at VND408 billion (US$16.7 million). Besides Thong Nhat Park, Hanoi will also renovate Thu Le Park (the city's zoo) and Bach Thao (Botanical) Park for a total of VND479 billion (US$19.6 million).

The renovation plans for the three parks are among 30 public investment projects in the capital worth VND15 trillion ($615 million).

Thong Nhat Park was built in 1958. After three years of construction, the park was opened in 1961. It was named after the Vietnamese people's desire for national reunification at that time.

For more than six decades, people were charged to enter the park until December 2022.