Nam Tu Liem and Thanh Xuan districts must complete land clearance for the Phung Khoang Lake Park project by December 15, said Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh.

Authorities must create a streamlined mechanism to expedite land clearance and complete all construction components of the project, he said.

"The park must be operational by Lunar New Year 2025 to host fireworks celebrations for public on the New Year's Eve," Thanh said.

According to Director of the Hanoi Construction Department Vo Nguyen Phong on November 20, the delayed completion of Phung Khoang Lake Park and the overall Phung Khoang New Urban Area stems from ineffective compensation and support policies for land clearance. 

Phong said the Phung Khoang Lake Park project is one subcomponent of the Phung Khoang New Urban Area project, which spans both Thanh Xuan and Nam Tu Liem districts.

The Phung Khoang New Urban Area project, including the Phung Khoang Lake Park as a key component, was initially approved on January 26, 2007. The Hanoi People's Committee approved the investment policy for the park on December 15, 2008.

In July 2016, the city revised the urban area's planning. The municipal government kept the park's designated size and land-use criteria intact, but adjusted the location and layout of auxiliary facilities.

On December 31, 2021, Hanoi issued a plan to build six new parks by 2025, including the 11.8-hectare Phung Khoang Lake Park.

The park's investment policy was further adjusted on August 31, 2022, extending the project deadline to Q4/2024.

The project investor now needs to gain the municipal government's approval for the investment policy revision and the feasibility study report to carry out remaining construction tasks, Phong said.

Parks are important in reducing pollution and decongesting the city center, said Chairman Thanh.

"The investor must take greater responsibility for public works projects like this one," he said.

In 2023, Hanoi resolved challenges for two parks, the Astronomy Park and Cay Dan Park in Duong Noi Ward, and completed their construction, he said.

"With decisive action, we addressed long-standing obstacles and minimized wasted resources. These parks are now operational and benefiting the public," the chairman said.

"We cannot accept situations where urban area projects are completed long ago while associated public facilities remain unfinished for decades," he said.