Should Hà Nội authorities stop plant care to save money?

August 26, 2016 - 09:00

Your Say, published every Friday, lets readers express their opinions on a topic or issue raised by the editor.

 

Your Say, published every Friday, lets readers express their opinions on a topic or issue raised by the editor.

Next week: Should Hà Nội authorities stop trimming plants to save money?

Hà Nội People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung announced at a meeting with local residents last week that VNĐ53 billion (US$2.3 million) was spent on cutting grass and prune trees along the 24km Thăng Long Avenue a year.

Hà Nội authorities therefore decided to stop spending its budget on trimming grass and flowers across the city, excluding several flower gardens around Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

According to Chung, this would help save about US$700 billion (US$31.3 million) each year.

Do you think the city’s beauty and people’s health will be affected by this decision? Do you think spending this money on trees and lawns is right? In your country, where does this money come from? Do your governments collect residents’ opinions before deciding what to do with public money?

Please reply by email to: opinion@vnsmail.com, or by fax to (84-4) 3 933 2311. Letters can be sent to The Editor, Việt Nam News, 79 Lý Thường Kiệt Street, Hà Nội. Answers must be received by Thursday morning, September 1, 2016. – VNS

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