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| Swanning around: The birds are part of a pilot project by the Hà Nội Sewage and Water Drainage Company, with the aim of beautifying the lake and surrounding area. — VNS Photos Trương Vị |
Viet Nam News
HÀ NỘI — The capital city’s Hoàn Kiếm Lake (also known as Sword Lake), which once hosted a hundred-year-old turtle, may now become home to a bevy of black and white Belgian swans.
The birds are part of a pilot project by the Hà Nội Sewage and Water Drainage Company, with the aim of beautifying the lake and surrounding area.
“If the public agree on the project, we will increase the number of swans in the lake. If local people don’t like the idea, we will stop it,” a representative of the company said.
Nguyễn Lân Dũng, chairman of Việt Nam Society for Biology, who consulted local authorities to select the Belgian swans said, “This type of swan is tolerant to cold and heat, and is easy to maintain.” Each swan costs about VNĐ20 million (US$890).
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| Tourist attraction: The swans are said to be tolerant to hot and cold weather. |
According to Dũng, swans are kept in lakes around the world and keeping swans in Hoàn Kiếm lake makes the area more beautiful. The animals will not affect the biological environment here.
Nguyễn Ngọc Vũ, a 24-year-old Hanoian said “I think animals like swans, ducks, koi fish and carp fish should be raised in the lake. Also, flowers like lotus and súng should be grown here. The lake is associated with the legendary turtle but it’s no longer here, so we should have some new animals.”
Hà Nội spent VNĐ30 billion (US$1.33 million) to dredge and clean Hoàn Kiếm Lake, which is considered an icon of the capital city. Apart from its spiritual and cultural values, it is a scenic venue and a hub for weekend relaxation, away from the chaos of the city. — VNS
