West Lake set for electric bus tours

Electric tourist cars are expected to begin operations around the West Lake in Tay Ho District on September 2 following approval for the venture granted to Ho Tay Co Ltd by the district People's Committee.
The company planned to import 20 electric tourist cars with eight to 14 seats each during the first phase of the project, said General Director Assistant Pham Phuong Dong.
The company would build 10 stations for the tourist cars, which will follow an 18-km long circuit around the lake and near-by places of interest, said Dong.
The tours start at the Ho Tay (West Lake) Water Park and visit 24 relics and destinations around the lake including Tao Sach Pagoda, Van Nien Pagoda, Co Le Temple, Ly Tu Trong Flower Garden and Quan Thanh Temple.
The Dong Xuan Joint Stock Company already launched a similar fleet of electric tourists cars in the Old Quarters last July, a service that received positive feedback from both domestic and international tourists.
Canadian tourist Karin Plettner said the electric cars were a pleasant way to explore the Old Quarters.
"Expanding the service to the West Lake is a good idea," she said.
Australian Jason Stark said electric cars were an eco-friendly and safe option for touring the capital city, especially when compared to the alternatives of travelling by motorbike or on foot.