HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội will set up an inter-sector team to inspect the business operations and the safety of boats and floating houses on West Lake by next month, Vũ Văn Viện, the city’s Transport Department director said.

Accordingly, unqualified companies will be banned from operating on the lake while the eligible ones will be moved to another place.

West Lake in Hà Nội’s Tây Hồ District is well-known for its breathtaking view and also for the various floating houses and boats on which cafés and restaurants are located. Locals and foreign tourists have fun enjoying the food and drinks on board or taking tour boats around the lake.

However, Viện said the boats and floating houses on the lake have been repaired and increased in size without being supervised by the authorised agencies. Also, the facilities did not meet requirements regarding waterway, fire and labour safety and environment protection.

Tây Hồ District authorities have not allowed any tourism, sports and cultural activities on the lake.

The suspension of their businesses cannot be delayed anymore, he said.

Two weeks ago, local authorities cracked down on operation of floating houses, both legally and illegally, on West Lake, and asked them to move to a planned new business area in Đầm Bảy in Nhật Tân Ward of Tây Hồ District.

The new area is equipped with clean water pipes, electricity and parking area, creating ideal conditions for companies to conduct business.

However, companies complained that the construction of the new area is yet to be completed and they have had to cancel a lot of tours, causing huge losses for their business. Many businesses have stayed on at the old place.

According to the Hà Nội People’s Committee, 13 businesses are operating on the lake with waterway vehicles, various tour boats, duck boats and canoes, as well as floating houses and floating objects, such as leading bridges.

Hà Nội’s Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism has been planning to develop the West Lake into a special cultural and tourism spot. — VNS