Hanoi's Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square redevelopment: Mega-project in need of full public support

THE HANOI TIMES — The decision to demolish the "Shark Jaw" building and relocate 12 agencies from the eastern side of Hoan Kiem Lake will make Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square by Hoan Kiem Lake more spacious, and provide better services for cultural and artistic activities for the community.

Trinh Hoang Tung, Vice Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, discussed this issue with Hanoimoi Newspaper.

Could you give more details about the plan for the demolition of the "Shark Jaw" building and the relocation of 12 agencies from the eastern side of Hoan Kiem Lake?

The plan to redesign Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and renovate the eastern side of Hoan Kiem Lake is a major initiative of the Hanoi People's Committee to give the area a fresh look.

Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square covers an area of about 1.2 hectares. It is bordered by Hang Gai and Cau Go Streets to the north, Hoan Kiem Lake and Thuy Ta Restaurant to the south, Ho Hoan Kiem Street to the east, and the Hong Van-Long Van Building to the west.

The square currently consists of public roads and the Hoan Kiem Lake Commercial - Service - Dining Center, commonly known as the "Shark Jaw" building. This structure, managed by the Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transerco), was built in 1991-1993. It covers an area of approximately 390 square meters and provides a total area of 1,600 square meters.

The public space on the eastern side of Hoan Kiem Lake covers about 2.14 hectares and is surrounded by Hoan Kiem Lake, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Ly Thai To Street, Tran Nguyen Han Street, and residential areas.

Since the pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake were opened in the early 2010s, areas such as Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, Ly Thai To Statue Park, and the vicinity of Ngoc Son Temple and Ba Kieu Temple have become popular venues for cultural activities on weekends, national holidays, and important events in Hanoi.

The renovation of the square and public space in the eastern part of Hoan Kiem Lake will further highlight its historical and cultural value. It will also strengthen the connection between two important landmarks: the Hoan Kiem Lake National Special Monument to the south and the Old Quarter National Historic Site to the north, in line with approved urban planning strategies.

What challenges does Hoan Kiem District face in implementing this project?

The project will be carried out in two phases. In the first phase, the "Shark Jaw" building will be demolished to enlarge Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.

Currently, the building is owned by Transerco, which is willing to hand it over to the government, so there are no major obstacles at this stage. The Hoan Kiem District People's Committee is working closely with relevant departments to complete the necessary procedures for planning, site clearance, demolition, and infrastructure restoration.

In the second phase, the district will renovate Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and develop underground spaces for commercial, service, and cultural activities.

Upon completion, the eastern side of Hoan Kiem Lake and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square will have a fresh, open and modern look, more suitable for community activities.

Can you provide more details on the timeline for the demolition and relocation plans?

The Hoan Kiem District People's Committee has submitted a proposal to the Department of Finance for the city's approval.

The proposal outlines the investment plan for the expansion of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, including the demolition of the commercial-service-dining center, the relocation of underground infrastructure (if necessary), and the restoration of the area to make it harmonious with the surroundings.

The estimated budget for the project is about VND18 billion (US$704,600). The preparation phase will take place from March to April 2025. The district is working with the Ministry of Finance to prepare a detailed investment plan for review and approval.

Hoan Kiem Electricity Company plans to relocate two transformers from the first floor of the Shark's Jaw building by April 20, 2025. The district aims to bring down the "Shark Jaw" building by April 30, 2025, and complete site clearance in the eastern part of Hoan Kiem Lake by September 2, 2025.

Given the large scale of this project, public support is crucial, in addition to the strong leadership of the city authorities, the involvement of relevant departments, and the determination of Hoan Kiem District.

The district believes that with the cooperation and approval of the people and relevant agencies, the plan will be successfully implemented and contribute to the development of Hanoi as a modern and civilized capital.

Thank you for your time!

Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square is named after a patriotic movement led by Vietnamese scholars and officials in the early 20th century. The name of the square refers to the Tonkin Free School, which aimed to reform Vietnamese society under the French protectorate and was associated with some famous patriots such as Luong Van Can, Phan Boi Chau, and Phan Chau Trinh. There are about 54 landowners in the East Hoan Kiem Lake area to be relocated. Among them, 12 are public agencies, including the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Hanoi Electricity Corporation, the Institute of Literature, the Hanoi Blind Association, the State Treasury Transaction Office, and the Northern Power Corporation. About 42 households in the area are expected to be rehoused.