Economist Dinh Trong Thinh described To Lich as modest in scale but valuable in cultural and economic terms. “If restored effectively, it could become a cultural and tourism highlight, bringing both economic benefits and identity to Hanoi,” he told Dantri/Dtinews.
At more than 13 kilometres long, the To Lich River has long been dubbed the Black River. Previous clean-up efforts had little impact, but experts now believe that the latest revival could transform it into a bridge linking culture, history, and modern urban development, supporting Hanoi’s vision of sustainable growth.