Gamuda-built Yen So Park opens for public

His Excellency Dato’ Seri Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister visited Gamuda City.

The auspicious event of great significance was attended by the honorable presence of Vietnamese and Malaysian government officials  and Hanoi authorities, including the Hanoi Communist Party’s Party Secretary Pham Quang Nghi, the Hanoi’s People Committee Chairman Nguyen The Thao, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Razak, Malaysian ambassador to Vietnam Dato’ Azmil Zabidi, and cabinet ministers of Malaysia government.

Developed by Gamuda Land Vietnam, the park construction was assigned by the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee in December 2007. Gamuda commenced its reconstruction of the park in January 2008 and completed the first part of Yen So  in time for the 1,000-year anniversary of Thang Long Hanoi.

Cutting ribbon to open Yen So Park

The company has used its experience and expertise in infrastructure construction to transform the old run-down park into a well-maintained, lush landscape with recreation facilities including an art gallery, boathouse, amphitheatre, maze, traditional village and numerous gardens.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the park, Cheong Ho Kuan, general director of Gamuda Land Vietnam stressed that the de-sludging and cleaning of the five lakes and the handover of a sewage treatment plant in August 2013 had led to a clean and odourless environment adding to the park’s serene ambiance. He also emphasised that a beautiful park required regular maintenance to ensure its quality and standards, particularly once it starts getting frequent public use.

According to Cheong, Gamuda has committed to the Hanoi People's Committee that the park does and will continue to provide world-class facilities.

A corner of Yen So Park

"The park will be supported by two integrated residential townships and a commercial hub that will enhance and upgrade the quality of life in the south of Hanoi," Cheong said.

Thao highlighted that together with the transfer of Yen So Sewage Treatment Plant to the city last year, the opening would prove the developer's strong commitment to the project.

 "The fact is this recreation area has huge potential, but was not well utilised before. There are too few large-scale projects designed for tourism," Thao said.

The park’s massive size is hoped to act as a kind of green lung for Hanoi’s air quality. As the largest park of its kind in Hanoi, it has derived inspiration from the city’s historical elements and environment that values both the traditional and contemporary. It is hoped it will promote a cultural, communal lifestyle that enhances business, employment, investment and tourism in the south of the city.

Yen So Park is just one of Malaysian Gamuda Berhad’s projects in Vietnam, with the other major development being Gamuda City, also in the south of Hanoi. Yen So Park was awarded at the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards 2011, held by the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia.