Vinh - the city by the river

Lam riverside city

“First near the market, second near the river”, since ancient times people have known how to choose lands with rivers to settle down and develop the economy, because first of all rivers provide drinking water, trade, travel, provide irrigation water for agricultural and fishery production, provide aquatic and seafood products, are alluvial deposits, are docks, are meeting places for trade development… Wherever there are rivers, there is early development.

The Lam River, after flowing from the upper reaches of Laos through many mountainous districts of Nghe An to Vinh city, is peaceful and calm. In the afternoon sun, the river water glows brightly with waves mixed with sunlight. At night, the lights from urban areas and riverside restaurants are as bright as shooting stars. Walking along the riverbank, the cool breeze blows.

The poetic river flows through Vinh, with the once famous Ben Thuy ferry, Ben Thuy Port carrying food and ammunition for fighting and building the red city. The riverside city has fertile alluvium, Ben Thuy Port is still bustling with cargo ships, there is an asphalt road along the Lam River running straight down to Cua Lo beach, there is Cua Hoi bridge to Ha Tinh, looking across to the other side is the hometown of Nguyen Du...

Several urban areas have sprung up along the Lam River in Vinh City. Photo: PV

Despite its great potential, the Lam River is still "asleep" for the city. Some tourism projects on the Lam River in the past, such as boat trips to listen to ca tru, cruises on the Lam River, were stopped after a while, some urban projects along the river are still on hold for a long time, or have not been connected to the river's potential for development...

We need urban areas with unique riverside architecture, landmark projects, ferry terminals, and access roads to develop tourism on the Lam River, enhance the beauty of the city, and better connect Vinh with Cua Hoi and Cua Lo.

Currently, the city is attracting investment projects, but except for Vinh Riverside urban area, which is quite complete, most of the rest are still on paper. When Vinh Riverside urban area was built, many young people and residents came here to take souvenir photos on the riverbank.

It would be a mistake to visit Vinh without mentioning the beauty of Lam River, because Lam River and Quyet Mountain are symbols of the red city. From the top of Dung Quyet, looking far away, you can see the vast city, the poetic Lam River with fields, villages. Dung Quyet Mountain has the shape of Dragon, Ly, Quyet, Phoenix. In the past, this place was chosen by Quang Trung as the capital and called Phuong Hoang Trung Do. Lam River, Quyet Mountain and the temple of King Quang Trung... These three famous landscapes are inseparable when visiting Phuong Hoang Trung Do in the past and Vinh today.

Wake up Vinh River

The more developed the city becomes, the more urban people crave green spaces and ecological areas to regulate the climate and reduce the heat of urban concrete blocks. In addition to Lam River, the green color of the city also includes Vinh River, the moat system, lakes and central parks, trees... in which Vinh River is a highlight of development in the southwest of the city.

Vinh River is planning to renovate and upgrade. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In its development history, along with "Vinh Market on the wharf and under the boat", Vinh River is associated with the heroic historical mark of the Red City, an important river for the city when providing domestic water, draining flood water, and transporting ships.

After historical changes, the previously polluted Vinh River is planning to be renovated and expanded, creating more livelihoods for local people and investors.

Talking about the important role of Vinh River, Mr. Nguyen Trung Dung - former Director of Vinh Urban Sub-Project Management Board said that Vinh River plays a very important role for the city. It drains water quickly during flood season, regulates the climate of the surrounding area in the summer, and stabilizes the groundwater level in the basin. If Vinh River is invested in and upgraded according to the WB2 Project, it will raise the level of Vinh River, improve the environmental landscape on both sides of the river, create a new highlight in beautiful, civilized, modern urban landscape architecture, and be the center of trade, services, and tourism in the South of the city, contributing to promoting socio-economic development, improving people's lives, and improving environmental sanitation conditions in the area. In addition, Vinh River also ensures raw water sources for clean water supply plants and irrigation water sources for farmers.

Vinh River and Quyet Mountain seen from above. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Like Lam River, Vinh River and the surrounding area are eco-tourism and historical tourism destinations associated with Quyet Mountain Park and Emperor Quang Trung Temple, Hoang Muoi Temple, Vinh Ancient Citadel, Cau Ram Church,...

Along with the development of riverside cities, Vinh River promises to be a golden river, a silver river for Vinh city.

It is known that Vinh River is currently attracting many urban area projects on both sides of the river. In addition to Vinh Tan urban area, which is considered a model urban area of ​​the city, there is also Vinh Tan urban area of ​​Tecco, Trang An urban area, Vinh Heritage, Cua Tien urban area, and dozens of other urban areas that are in the process of appraisal and approval...

Vinh River has a chance to turn around when on January 18, 2021, the Prime Minister issued Official Dispatch No. 17/TTg-QHQT approving the proposal for the Project "Priority infrastructure and urban development adapting to climate change in Vinh city, Nghe An province", borrowing capital from the World Bank; including component No. 3: Upgrading Vinh River. On March 23, 2021, Vinh City People's Committee issued Decision No. 1433 on approving the results of selecting a consultant to survey, prepare a Pre-Feasibility Study Report; Feasibility Study Report; Establish Vinh River planning;... Those important legal bases are the premise to awaken Vinh River, but it is also necessary to perfect the legal system to protect Vinh River from human "greed".

Vinh River dike needs to be upgraded during flood season. Photo: Chau Lan

In addition to Vinh River and Lam River, the city also has large lakes, Central Park, and climate regulation for the city. The city has an ancient moat associated with Vinh Citadel located in 3 wards: Cua Nam, Doi Cung, and Quang Trung. In addition to the function of drainage and climate regulation, it also has great socio-economic development value. If the WB2 Project is completed, Vinh River will be awakened, if there is an economic development plan along Lam River through Vinh Citadel...Surely Vinh city will realize its dream of development.

Mangrove forest in Hung Hoa commune, Vinh city. Photo: Vuong Van