Hanoi authorities have approved a project in principle to build a shopping centre and underground parking facility inside Thong Nhat Park, which was previously known as Lenin Park.

The plot that was originally designed for the SD40-million SAS Hanoi Royal Hotel hotel project

The project will be located in the a plot that was originally designed for the SD40-million SAS Hanoi Royal Hotel hotel project.

Construction began in 2008 by the SAS Hanoi Royal Hotel Company as joint venture between Hanoitourist and Singapore-based SIH Investment Ltd, but public concerns about its location inside the park could have negative impacts on one of the capital’s major outdoor leisure areas.

The local authorities finally decided to back down on the 10,000 square metre hotel project.

It appears that the city authorities have since changed its mind and are now seeking ‘qualified investors’ for the project.

Headmaster of National University of Civil Engineering Nguyen Van Hung said that parks are public leisure areas, so should be not used for business.

He added that the city would have ensure that the shopping centre and the parking lot not to affect the park’s environment.

The project must bring long-term public interest. There will undoubtedly be large public opposition to any development in one of the city’s only parks.

Hung also inquired why the city had not reassigned many of the vacant land lots that had no work on them due to their investors lacking capital instead as car parks.