On March 19th, the People’s Committee of Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem District officially announced the master plan for the Dong Kinh – Nghia Thuc Square and the public space east of Hoan Kiem Lake (Ho Guom). This move is a significant step towards reshaping the urban landscape surrounding the capital’s iconic lake while preserving cultural values and accommodating modern development needs.
The Dong Kinh – Nghia Thuc Square is envisioned to span approximately 1.2 hectares. Its boundaries are defined as follows: to the north, it borders Hang Gai and Cau Go streets; to the south, it adjoins Hoan Kiem Lake and the Thuy Ta building; to the east, it is adjacent to Ho Hoan Kiem street, and to the west, it sits next to the Hong Van – Long Van building.
Currently, this area includes a transportation hub and a prominent commercial, service, and dining center, known as the Ho Guom Center. Managed and operated by the Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transerco), the building was constructed between 1991 and 1993, occupying approximately 390 square meters of land with a total floor area of 1,600 square meters.
The public space east of Hoan Kiem Lake is more expansive, covering an estimated area of 2.14 hectares. Its boundaries are defined as follows: to the west, it borders Hoan Kiem Lake and Dinh Tien Hoang street; to the north, it adjoins existing residential areas; to the east, it is adjacent to Ly Thai To street, and to the south, it extends to Tran Nguyen Han street.
According to initial surveys, this area is occupied by 54 landowners or land users, including 12 agencies and organizations such as the Department of Culture and Sports, Hanoi Power Corporation, Institute of Literature, Hanoi Population Office, Hanoi Blind Association, State Treasury Transaction Office, Power Hotel, Northern Power Corporation, Power Transmission Company No. 1, and the city’s citizen reception headquarters, along with two specialized cooperatives. Approximately 42 households also reside in this area.
To facilitate the master plan, Hanoi has outlined a specific timeline for land clearance in these two areas. According to the Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee, the implementation of the master plan for the capital city’s construction development by 2030, with a vision towards 2050, has been detailed in Decision No. 1259/QD-TTg dated July 26, 2011. This includes the urban subdivision planning of H1-1B (Ho Guom and surrounding areas) at a scale of 1/2,000, which has been approved by the city’s People’s Committee, providing clear development orientations.
Regarding the “Hammerhead Shark” building in the Dong Kinh – Nghia Thuc Square, this process is expected to be completed before April 30, 2025. Meanwhile, the area east of Hoan Kiem Lake, encompassing 12 agencies and 42 households, will undergo land clearance before September 2, 2025. Notably, the city’s citizen reception point at 34 Ly Thai To street will also be relocated to a new, more spacious and convenient location.
In terms of transportation infrastructure, the Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee further elaborated on the construction of the urban railway line No. 2 (Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao section), which will be built underground along the west side of Dinh Tien Hoang street. This project has been approved for investment by the city’s People’s Committee through Decision No. 2054/QD-UBND dated November 13, 2008, with a total line length of approximately 11.5 km, including 2.6 km of elevated tracks and 8.9 km of underground tracks.
The entire line will feature 10 stations, with 3 elevated and 7 underground stations, notably including station C9. As per the plan agreed upon by the Government Standing Committee in Notification No. 328/TB-VPCP dated October 14, 2022, station C9 will be constructed underground on Dinh Tien Hoang street, right in front of the land lot belonging to the Hanoi Power Corporation, the Northern Power Corporation, and the Hanoi People’s Committee.
The construction of this urban railway line will not only upgrade the city’s transportation infrastructure but also facilitate efficient connectivity within the planned area, fostering the sustainable development of the capital.
The Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee also emphasized the preservation of the lake’s water and green space, along with creating a harmonious connection between this area, the ancient streets, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and the Red River. The addition of miniature landscapes, flower gardens, and pedestrian paths in the renovated areas will provide high-quality community spaces.
The conversion of land use from residential to service purposes will be considered conditionally, with the requirement to ensure necessary infrastructure such as parking lots and squares. Notably, important headquarters such as the City Party Committee, the People’s Committee, and the People’s Council will not be relocated. Instead, the land fund generated from the relocation of other agencies will be utilized to construct a political-administrative center for the People’s Committee, along with public utilities serving tourism and cultural needs.
To materialize these orientations, the Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee encourages the implementation of a proposal to relocate a number of ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated units, companies, and state-owned corporations from the Ho Guom area. This will not only reduce urban pressure but also create opportunities for developing modern public spaces that meet the needs of locals and visitors alike.
It is expected that land clearance at the “Hammerhead Shark” building will be completed before April 30, 2025, while the area east of Hoan Kiem Lake will be finished before September 2, 2025, demonstrating the city’s determination to expedite the process while ensuring the master plan’s timely and effective implementation.
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