Hanoi: People crowded to take pictures next to the 'Shark Jaw' building before demolition

(CLO) These days, the area around Hoan Kiem Lake has become more bustling than ever as a large number of people and tourists flock to the “Shark Jaw” building to take photos and preserve memories before the construction is officially dismantled before April 30. Although it has caused controversy in terms of architecture, it is undeniable that this place has become a part of the memories of many generations of Hanoians.

Hurriedly capturing the last moment

At this time, the flow of people to the Hoan Kiem Lake area (Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi ) is increasingly crowded, creating a rare bustling scene. People who have been attached to "Shark Jaw" for decades take the opportunity to record the last photos next to this construction, as a way to hold on to beautiful memories before it disappears from the urban picture of Hanoi.

Sharing with reporters, Ms. Le Quyen (44 years old, Hoan Kiem district) said: "I am familiar with the image of 'Shark Jaws' every time I walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. This is where I used to meet friends, sit in a coffee shop and watch the streets. Although I know that Hanoi needs to change, when I heard that this project was being dismantled, I still couldn't help but feel regretful and heartbroken."

People flocked to check in at "Shark Jaws" before it was officially dismantled.

Not only Hanoi people, many domestic tourists also come here to enjoy this special space before it is no longer there.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa (72 years old, a tourist from Hung Yen ) shared: “When Hanoi did not have many high-rise coffee shops, 'Ham Ca Map' was one of the rare places with a panoramic view of Hoan Kiem Lake. Every time I came to Hanoi, my family and I often chose this place to admire the capital's scenery, enjoy coffee, and talk about life. Now that I am about to leave this place, I cannot help but be surprised and emotional."

'Jaws' – A Controversial But Memorable Icon

The "Shark Jaw" building is located in a prime location on Dinh Tien Hoang - Cau Go street, with a balcony protruding like a shark's mouth, and has become a typical landmark of the Hoan Kiem Lake area since the 1990s. For more than 3 decades, this place has been a familiar meeting place for young people, a familiar corner in the memories of Hanoians.

However, this project has also caused much controversy in terms of aesthetics, when some opinions said that its architecture was not in harmony with the landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake - the area considered the cultural and historical heart of the Capital. The dismantling of "Shark Jaw" is part of the plan to renovate the space of this area, aiming to restore the ancient beauty of this special historical relic.

Tourists check-in at the foot of Shark's Jaw.

Although regretting the disappearance of a familiar structure, many people still expect a new look for Hoan Kiem Lake, suitable for the development of a modern city.

Mr. Dang Tue (43 years old, Ba Dinh district) shared: "Hanoi is increasingly changing, and changes like this are inevitable. I hope that even though 'Shark Jaw' is no longer there, the Hoan Kiem Lake area will still retain its inherent cultural and historical values, and at the same time become more beautiful and airy."

The final days of “Shark Jaws” are gradually passing in a mixture of regret and anticipation. Hanoi is changing, and although an old symbol is about to disappear, the people of the capital still look to the future with faith in an increasingly modern and civilized city that still retains its thousand-year-old soul.

Close-up of "Shark Jaws" before it was officially dismantled.

Shark Jaw Building (also known as the Commercial Center Building No. 7 Dinh Tien Hoang, or City View Building) is a commercial center built on the old tramway station with a view of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and a panoramic view of Hoan Kiem Lake.

This project was designed by architect Ta Xuan Van, started in the early 1990s and completed in 1993. Despite receiving many mixed opinions from urban planning experts at the time of its opening, the Shark Jaw building has become an important architectural highlight in Hoan Kiem district, and is also one of the most visited places in Hanoi.

Vietnamese Chinese