How Hanoi will remake its iconic Hoan Kiem Lake square

Hanoi has begun a sweeping makeover of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square at Hoan Kiem Lake, aiming to turn the 1.4-hectare landmark into a public space that blends restored heritage with bold modern design.

The project, which includes a three-level underground complex and the installation of a giant LED screen, is being carried out in two phases.

According to the Hanoi Department of Planning and Architecture, phase one focuses on removing outdated and makeshift structures to restore the square’s historic character. The most striking change so far has been the demolition of the « Shark Jaw » building, a six-floor mall that housed coffee shops and restaurants, at 1–3–5 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, long a controversial fixture on the lakefront.

In its place, the city has installed a 12-meter-high, 17-meter-wide LED screen framed in pale yellow, intended to recall Old Quarter architecture while symbolizing the city’s modern aspirations.

Other phase-one works include sprucing up façades along Dinh Tien Hoang, Cau Go and Hang Dao streets, removing awnings and rooftop extensions, and restoring the Thuy Ta restaurant to its original form by dismantling corrugated iron roofs and temporary additions. The city has also repaved the square’s surface to create a flat slope leading toward the lake, reorganized traffic around the area and added mobile planters that can be shifted to the sidewalks on weekends to free space for pedestrians.

Phase two will bring an even more dramatic transformation: the construction of a three-level underground facility beneath the square. The first level will house cultural and commercial space, while the second and third will be dedicated to parking.

Vehicle entrances are planned from Cau Go Street, with pedestrian access points placed around the square. Authorities are also studying ways to repave the entire square with stone and redesign façades to create a more unified look.

Nguyen Manh Cuong, deputy director of the Institute of Urban Architecture at Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, said the design was chosen because it balanced heritage and modernity while meeting the city’s urgent timeline to prepare for Vietnam’s 80th National Day celebrations on Sept. 2.

« We wanted to create a harmonious whole, not too old, not too new, with traditional elements supporting modern expression, » he explained.

Cuong added that the LED screen is not meant as a replacement for the demolished « Shark Jaw » building but as an urban utility, used to display public information and promote the city’s image. A canopy beneath the screen was designed to echo the familiar arcades of Trang Tien Street, creating a sense of warmth and continuity with the surrounding Old Quarter.

Some residents have criticized the new look as less distinctive than the « Shark Jaw » it replaced, but officials say the project is still in progress. Electrical boxes and temporary barriers remain under the LED screen and will be removed within months. The square’s layout will also be refined with modular benches and flower beds that can be moved or rearranged for events.

City planners emphasize that public feedback will be collected after the first phase to guide refinements in phase two. Cuong said the goal was to create a meaningful space that would reflect Hanoi’s identity, satisfy its residents and impress international visitors.

The square’s redevelopment is part of a broader plan to improve the eastern side of Hoan Kiem Lake, one of Hanoi’s most visited and historic sites. Spanning 12 hectares, the lake is surrounded by government offices, businesses and cultural landmarks, including the nationally recognized Hoan Kiem–Ngoc Son complex and Ba Kieu Temple.

By combining restored heritage, improved public space, and new infrastructure, Hanoi hopes to give the city center a fresh identity while retaining the spirit that makes Hoan Kiem Lake a symbol of the capital.

By Vo Hai – VnEpress.net – September 11, 2025