Vietnam’s iconic Ba Dinh Square poised for expansion

THE HANOI TIMES — The Ministry of National Defense has released a detailed planning report for the expansion of Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi to address the visual obstruction while reorganizing auxiliary spaces to better serve visitors and accommodate political and cultural events.

According to the ministry, the square's lawn is an integral part of the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum complex. However, a cluster of villas to the south obstructed the view of the mausoleum and the National Assembly building from Chua Mot Cot Street that significantly undermined the visual, architectural, and solemn significance of the historic and political center. 

The southern section, at the end of Doc Lap Street, will feature gardens, trees, and walkways. The 7,191-square meter planning area consists of two main functions: a 4,110-sq.m square featuring 28 grass plots and pebble-concrete walkways, and a 3,081-sq.m area for traffic infrastructure, including sidewalks and roadways.

Four deteriorated villas previously occupied this area on Hung Vuong, Chua Mot Cot, and Ba Huyen Thanh Quan streets: No. 25 Hung Vuong Street (925 sq.m), No. 4 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Street (1,133 sq.m), and No. 66 and No. 6B Chua Mot Cot Street (1,014 and 740 square meters, respectively). These have been cleared for project implementation.

The Ministry of National Defense said that the expansion would make Hung Vuong Street as wide as the red line boundary. It will also reorganize the architectural and landscape space in accordance with the revised master plan for the Ba Dinh political center.

The project will not impact adjacent structures and will meet standards for traffic safety, fire prevention, and environmental sanitation.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh on June 12 directed the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Hanoi authorities to work on land clearance, renovation, and expansion of Ba Dinh Square in preparation for the military parade and march celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2.

Ba Dinh Square is currently the largest square in Vietnam, located along Hung Vuong Street in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. It houses the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and has witnessed numerous significant milestones in the nation's history, including on September 2, 1945 when President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the Declaration of Independence establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Today, Ba Dinh Square spans 320 meters in length and 100 meters in width. It is divided into 210 grass plots interspersed with 1.4-meter wide walkways. At its center stands a 25-meter high flagpole. The square hosts major national parades and is a popular destination for local residents and international visitors.