Further solidify its position as the "heart of the capital".

Báo Kinh tế và Đô thị•25/03/2025

Further strengthening its position as the

The demolition of the "Shark's Jaw" building and the relocation of agencies, units, and houses in the area east of Hoan Kiem Lake, aimed at implementing the plan to renovate the space around Hoan Kiem Lake and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi), is one of the decisions that has attracted considerable public attention. Dr. Architect Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Head of the Faculty of Architecture and Construction at Phuong Dong University, had an interview with the Kinh Te & Do Thi Newspaper on this matter.

Hanoi is currently conducting research on planning and renovating the area east of Ho Guom Lake, as well as renovating, upgrading, and reconstructing the Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square area with a view to creating more public spaces. How do you assess this planning direction of Hanoi City?

- In my opinion, this policy is very correct. Expanding public spaces, green spaces, and activity spaces for the people in the Ho Guom area is truly necessary. This has been the desire of many experts and the people of Hanoi for many years, in the context of the Ho Guom area and its surroundings becoming increasingly crowded due to urbanization and the increasing density of buildings and land use ratio.

I am pleased that the city has boldly and decisively raised this issue, along with the determination to implement it in the coming months. Looking more broadly, to the East, we have the opportunity to connect green spaces/axes from Ho Guom Lake to the August Revolution Square and the Grand Theatre, and to the West to the Grand Cathedral and the surrounding historical sites, pagodas, and temples. This connection expands the lake's space, links cultural and historical values, coordinates important and attractive tourist destinations, spreads the spirit and culture of Hanoi, and deepens and strengthens the position of Ho Guom Lake – the heart of Hanoi.

The current land management and use situation in the planning research area (Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square area; the area east of Ho Guom Lake...) involves many agencies, units, households, and some valuable architectural works. Sir, what should be taken into account in the planning process?

- I understand that Hanoi City has conducted research on the specific arrangement, relocation, and clearance of two areas: Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square, with the demolition of the "Shark's Jaw" building and the comprehensive renovation of the square's landscape; and the park and square east of Ho Guom Lake, where 12 agencies and 47 households need to be relocated, according to the latest information.

I am interested in two buildings: the Hanoi Department of Culture and Tourism headquarters, a building with a rather beautiful facade in a classical style, subtly reminiscent of the Mediterranean. A thorough assessment of the building's architecture is necessary because this style is not common in Hanoi. From there, a careful study should be conducted on solutions for preserving the building and adapting it to the space and function of the new park, and evaluating the impact of the technical components of Station C9 of the Nam Thang Long - Tran Hung Dao metro line on this building.

Secondly, the planning for the park east of Ho Guom Lake should include a space to commemorate the site of the Ho Guom Power Plant, Hanoi's first electricity facility, established in 1892, laying the foundation for the formation and development of the capital's electricity industry later on.

Because the area around Ho Guom Lake and its surroundings share a high degree of architectural and landscape similarity, what factors, in your opinion, should be considered in the design to ensure overall connectivity and integration with the surrounding space?

- We could consider creating green axes based on the potential to connect Ly Thai To flower gardens, the park east of Ho Guom Lake, extending to Dien Hong flower garden, Co Tan flower garden, the Grand Theatre, expanding and creating a seamless connection with the National History Museum. We could also create an activity axis that has very strong potential north of Ho Guom Lake, from Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square connecting through Hang Ngang and Hang Dao streets, to the bustling and vibrant market areas of Hanoi's Old Quarter.

On the west side of Ho Guom Lake, I understand that Hanoi City is continuing to study expanding the lake's connectivity, from the statue of King Le and Nam Huong Temple to the area around the Cathedral, the square, and the Grand Cathedral, along with the surrounding historical sites, pagodas, and temples, creating an axis with cultural, religious, and commemorative significance. While no prominent connections have emerged on the south side of Ho Guom Lake, I believe there are three areas with significant potential for renovation, functional adjustments, and improved operations to create more cultural and community value: the National Library area, the Dinh Le - Nguyen Xi - Trang Tien block, and the area east of Trang Tien Plaza.

The spatial planning for the area east of Ho Guom Lake mentions the exploitation of underground space. Therefore, in your opinion, what aspects should be considered in urban planning and architecture to connect with the underground space of Station C9, ensuring efficient land use and meeting the needs of the people?

- In line with the new Asian spirit, economic development is rapidly transforming cities at a dizzying pace. We see the challenges we face: how to build more competitive cities? How to renovate/upgrade cities to improve the quality of life for everyone? How to preserve identity and heritage while ensuring that cities adapt to the development of new spaces and economic scales?

Many demands are placed on our capital in this new context, especially on the historical urban center, where we must skillfully and cleverly transform functional elements to create new quantity and quality, while there is not much space left to expand and accommodate these new elements. At the same time, it is necessary to protect and preserve the traditional values that create the unique characteristics, strengths, and competitive advantages of the historical urban center and the capital.

In this context, exploiting underground space can be seen as a relatively viable solution, allowing for greater flexibility in adapting to new functional and operational requirements. However, it demands higher levels of planning, connectivity, and optimization of investment and development value, as well as higher-level management and exploitation capabilities, and the adoption and formation of new usage habits among the public.

I hope that Hanoi will find the best solution within the constraints of the Ho Guom area, so that the historical urban space can adapt to the development of new economic spaces and scales, while still preserving its value and identity, and further strengthening the culture of Thang Long - Hanoi.

Thank you, sir!