Hanoi's authorities have agreed not to charge people entering Thong Nhat, Bach Thao, and Hoa Binh parks.

The move is aimed at helping residents at ease when coming to those places as "the parks are public leisure destinations for residents," according to Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh.

Bach Thao Park in Hanoi will be prioritized for synchronous renovation and upgrading. Photo: Trieu Tam/ The Hanoi Times

Spread over about 42ha in Hai Ba Trung District, Thong Nhat Park has been a popular leisure destination for Hanoians ever since it opened in 1958.

Bach Thao and Hoa Binh parks, each covering more than 10 hectares in Ba Dinh and Cau Giay districts, respectively, are considered the city's green lungs, with several hundred varieties of trees.

To make full use of the parks, the city will provide the best benefit for locals by renovating and building new parks, Thanh said, adding that it requires appropriate investment plans.

The municipal authorities are very interested in infrastructure investment to serve residents. Recently, a working group led by a vice chairman of the People's Committee has been established to review and urge green park projects.

“In 2023, it is necessary to revive the parks in Hanoi,” Thanh stressed, stating his determination that the city will soon find a model and call for investment in building and renovating the green park system so that people can enjoy it.

Hanoi has managed four parks, including Thong Nhat, Thu Le, Bach Thao, and Hoa Binh. From the end of 2021, the city made a plan to renovate these parks.

According to the city's mayor, Hanoi will prioritize the renovation and upgrading of Bach Thao, Thu Le, and Thong Nhat Parks while speeding up the investment of Chu Van An and Kim Quy Parks, Phung Khoang Lake Park, Ha Dong Green Sports Park, among others.

Around 40 flower garden parks managed by districts will also be renovated from 2021 to 2025, including Linh Dam, Bac Linh Dam, Linh Dam Peninsula, Ba Mau, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Den Lu, Indira Gandhi, and Nguyen Trai.

Compared with the standards, the percentage of land area for parks in Hanoi is still deficient, only about 2 square meters per person, accounting for only 1/10 of the green tree norm in the world's advanced cities.