Romantic woman in Trinh street

The gentle, chilly spring afternoon in Hanoi is perfect for chatting with someone who loves Hanoi and is passionate about walking streets like Ms. Phan Thu Hang.

Ms. Phan Thu Hang, Mr. Lai Thanh Nam, Chairman of the Green Science and Technology Association and a British tourist were impressed with the old town space. (Photo: Minh Hoa)

The appointment with the founder of the non- governmental and non-profit organization ICEP - Hanoi Classy was scheduled for 5 pm, but I arrived at Trinh Cong Son walking street a little early to admire the fruits of her labor.

Turning into a cozy café at the beginning of the street, I sat down, sipped my drink, and waited. Ms. Phan Thu Hang arrived – very punctually. Despite her age (nearly 50), her work style was quick and professional. She ordered a drink and then turned to answer my interview questions as if afraid of time slipping away. She's clearly a very busy person, but I know she's preparing for projects that benefit many people. These include pedestrian streets, meaningful community cultural spaces and food areas, cultural, art, and heritage projects…

“Walking Street Expert”

Phan Thu Hang shared: “I am simply a person who acts for the community through my perspective, ideas and endless creativity…”.

The opportunity to create a "pedestrian street" came to her during her son's summer vacation while he was studying in Beijing. "He participated in the 'Hanoi: Peaceful and Harmonious' project, which included a section on pedestrian streets. I helped him gain a deeper understanding of Hanoi through historical documents and experiences that I, and our generation, have had. This gave me many ideas for pedestrian streets," she said.

By chance, in 2016, she was invited to participate in a survey around West Lake with the Hanoi Department of Tourism, and subsequently accepted an invitation from the Hoan Kiem District Culture Department to serve as an expert assisting in the implementation of the pedestrian street project. Fortunately, she received trust, support, and favorable conditions from the leaders and her colleagues.

Hoan Kiem walking street has been a great success, bringing cultural and economic values ​​and becoming a special tourist destination of the capital Hanoi. “Although it only contributed a very small part, I am really very proud!”, she confided.

In fact, walking streets help preserve cultural values ​​through diverse and rich experiential activities from music to souvenirs and traditional cuisine, in parallel with the general development of society, creating a meaningful space for exchange and connection.

Taking a sip of coffee and reminiscing about the journey she has taken, Phan Thu Hang further shared the common aspiration of the ICEP team: "After overcoming difficulties with all our dedication, passion, and love for our work, we hope for nothing more than to have our intellectual property protected, recognized, and properly appreciated."

A place of connection and healing

In 2017, Ms. Phan Thu Hang accepted an invitation from Mr. Nguyen Dinh Khuyen, then Vice Chairman of Tay Ho District – a romantic individual who was very enthusiastic about the project. ICEP-Hanoi Classy collaborated with the West Lake Management Board to survey, construct, and implement the "Tay Ho Pedestrian Street" project, named "Tay Ho Street Art and Food Performance Space," which officially opened on May 11, 2018.

She said, “Art and music are always intertwined, healing all wounds, so when creating the pedestrian street, we brought paintings and music in first, and then we expanded to other activities. The implementation process was very difficult; there were times when we felt discouraged, but if we gave up, who would continue? No one would take the risk; we were simply too passionate, so we persevered little by little. When the space gradually took shape, recreating the old houses with their side wings, small eaves, the clanging trams, and familiar street corners along with the folk music nights, the people were overjoyed. Everyone exclaimed, ‘It’s wonderful!’ Later, the people here supported and protected us a lot, so I always believe that nothing touches the heart more than sincerity.”

In her story, Ms. Thu Hang repeatedly mentioned and expressed her gratitude to her colleagues, mentors, teachers, friends, and family who have always supported her, such as Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau, Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Son, former Director of the National Institute of Culture and Arts, Dr. Architect Nguyen Quang, former Director of UN-Habita Vietnam, Ngoi Concept, and many others—artists, experts, and artisans—who have supported her from the very beginning until now, especially the media, journalists, and lawyers.

She said: “When recreating this old space, I invited researcher/artist Nguyen Manh Duc and artist Nguyen Trong Ha to advise and oversee the construction. Artist Tran Hoang Hai Yen and her friends painted on the bridge. There is a glass painting by artist Vinh Coba depicting musician Trinh Cong Son that was donated to the project to show that our project has received so much love and support from everyone. Now it has become a particularly beloved highlight of Trinh Cong Son Street, and I still call these works of art because they were created by the hands of artists. I cherish them immensely!”

Being a pioneer is always under a lot of pressure, but you will be very proud of being the one who paved the way.

The author and Ms. Phan Thu Hang share about the beauty of old Hanoi recreated in Trinh Cong Son walking street. (Photo: George John Newman)

Many projects ahead

As someone full of ideas, passion, and a strong sense of responsibility, her reputation is steadily growing. Local authorities are also paying attention to the founder of ICEP - Hanoi Classy. She accepted an invitation from the Hai Duong City People's Committee to implement a pedestrian street project along the Bach Dang River. Following that was the Tue Tinh food street project. "That's one of the things I'm happy about, knowing that my projects bring value to the community," she confided.

Phan Thu Hang shared: “We collaborated with Thong Nhat Park and launched the Creative Space and Connectivity project for the Thong Nhat Park pedestrian street (Hanoi) on September 1, 2023. There were many difficulties, and doing cultural work is never easy. Our ICEP team prioritized responsibility and dedication, working with our partners step by step to overcome these challenges. I believe in the good things in life.”

ICEP - Hanoi Classy received the introduction of Dr. Architect Nguyen Quang to consult on the idea for the Ponl de Long Bien walking street project - Splendora urban area (Bac An Khanh, Hanoi), and the invitation of Dr. Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Temple of Literature Cultural Center, to consult on the idea for the Temple of Literature and some general planning spaces. Typical activities and projects that ICEP is sponsoring are community-oriented and prioritize young people such as the Vietnam Telling project (3D light projection) by author Nguyen Cam Tu, Young Warriors to destroy Corona, Emotions in me by Art Tree Art Studio... large and small projects of high school students and university students nationwide.

Seeing George John Newman (a British tourist) intently browsing the handicraft stalls in front of us, Ms. Hang invited him in for coffee and introduced him: "This young man has been to Vietnam three times already, and in total, he's been here for about a year." Listening to our conversation about pedestrian streets, George shared: "I've always liked pedestrian streets that are both beautiful and traditional, like the Ho Guom pedestrian street and the Trinh Cong Son pedestrian street by West Lake. The street by the lake is very romantic and refreshing."

“I find that pedestrian streets offer us the perfect opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of life. As a foreigner, I enjoy spending my time in these areas around the city to relax and always feel welcomed by the wonderful people of Hanoi. Music and laughter fill the air whenever I stroll along these streets, and I am very grateful to the wonderful people who work hard to provide us with the opportunity to relax and enjoy this beautiful space,” George added.

Bidding farewell to Ms. Hang, Mr. George… I believe that what people like Ms. Hang and her colleagues have done for Hanoi today will be remembered by the people and future generations. In my heart, I hear the lyrics from the masterpiece that the late musician Trinh Cong Son wrote about Hanoi: “Hanoi in autumn, walking among the people / My heart silently asks: Who am I missing? / One day the autumn sky of Hanoi will answer me / One day every small street will answer me…”

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nu-nhan-lang-man-o-pho-trinh-265055.html