As Hanoi considers major plans for Hoan Kiem Lake and the Red River, an economist says modernization should create new economic value without overwhelming the capital’s historic identity.
Hanoi is seeking public feedback on planning for Hoan Kiem Lake and its surrounding area, as well as an overall adjustment to the 1:5,000-scale Red River urban zoning plan to facilitate the Red River Landscape Boulevard project.
As the Vietnamese capital considers reshaping its urban landscape and areas of historical and cultural significance, economist Nguyen Thuong Lang spoke with VietNamNet about what should guide planning for Hoan Kiem Lake and its surroundings, as well as urban development along both banks of the Red River.
Hanoi is considering restructuring the area around Hoan Kiem Lake. What do you see as the most important principle?
Nguyen Thuong Lang: I believe Hanoi should be bold in restructuring the area to give the capital a new look, but restructuring does not mean building as many new structures as possible.
Hoan Kiem Lake is one of Hanoi’s most prominent showcases and could even be described as the capital’s “jewel.” Photo: Hoang Ha
Hoan Kiem Lake is one of Hanoi’s most prominent showcases - it could even be described as the city’s “jewel.” The priority, therefore, should be to make the most of the values the area already possesses.
Hoan Kiem Lake, Turtle Tower, The Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple and the surrounding landscape embody values accumulated over generations. Those core elements must be protected.
Preservation does not mean keeping everything unchanged. Hanoi can renew the space through lighting, art, technology, cultural activities and festivals, but new elements should enhance what is already there rather than overshadow it.
Several ideas have been proposed around Hoan Kiem Lake, including a triumphal arch, a luxury hotel, a nine-story building and a financial tower. What is your view of these proposals?
There is a very fine line between renewal and going too far.
If land clearance creates more space for public squares, greenery and pedestrian areas, while opening up the surroundings, it presents an opportunity to reorganize the Hoan Kiem Lake area.
But if the newly available land is subsequently filled with too many large buildings, the original purpose could be undermined.
Hoan Kiem Lake needs “room to breathe.” A lake should be complemented by greenery, squares and public spaces. A heritage area cannot be turned into a densely concreted landscape.
Any new buildings need careful consideration in terms of scale, density, location and how well they fit into the surrounding landscape. Simply adding a large structure does not necessarily make Hoan Kiem Lake more beautiful.
If Hoan Kiem Lake is Hanoi’s “jewel,” how do you see the Red River fitting into the capital’s development strategy?
Planning should ensure that new development enhances existing heritage rather than overwhelming the area’s identity. Rendering of the Hoan Kiem Lake area and surroundings under the planning proposal released by the Hanoi People’s Committee.
The Red River is more than a waterway. It is closely intertwined with Hanoi’s history, culture and development.
For a long time, the river has largely been viewed in terms of landscape, the environment, transportation and flood drainage. Those functions are important, but they are not enough.
I believe the Red River should also be seen as a new economic engine.
Its economic value lies not only in the river itself but across the areas on both banks, where new infrastructure, services and economic activities could develop around the waterway.
Where should Hanoi begin if it wants to unlock that potential?
The first priority is to address fundamental issues such as water quality, waste control, the landscape along both banks, embankments and, most importantly, flood drainage and safety.
Once those foundations are secured, Hanoi could develop river tourism, entertainment, commerce, premium services, new urban areas, high technology and cultural spaces.
Over the longer term, an urban complex could emerge along both banks, incorporating centers for commerce, technology, services, healthcare, tourism and entertainment.
If Hanoi wants to attract international conferences, major exhibitions, cultural and sporting events, or technology corporations, it needs spaces that are attractive, modern and large enough to accommodate them. Properly planned areas along the Red River could help meet some of that demand.
A major event generates more than direct revenue. It also brings visitors and creates demand for hotels, restaurants, retail, transportation and other services. Hanoi should take these wider economic effects into account when planning its riverfront.
Many cities around the world have successfully developed their riverfronts. Which models should Hanoi follow?
Hanoi can learn from international experience, but it should not simply copy other cities.
It needs to create a “Red River of Hanoi.”
The Red River has its own history, culture and natural conditions. A model from another city cannot simply be transplanted here.
Flood drainage and safety constraints, in particular, cannot be taken lightly. Development must not come at the expense of the river’s natural limits.
The Red River needs to be beautiful and clean while generating economic value, but it must also retain its flood drainage function and ensure the city’s safety.
Turning the Red River’s potential into a new growth engine for Hanoi. Photo: Hoang Ha
Looking at both Hoan Kiem Lake and the Red River, what needs to change in Hanoi’s approach to urban planning?
The most important thing is to establish an integrated development model with a very long-term vision.
Hanoi has more than a thousand years of history, so its planning cannot be measured simply in political terms or individual projects. Hoan Kiem Lake, the Red River, transportation, urban centers, technology, culture and living spaces all need to be considered within a single strategy.
The city can develop the smart economy, heritage economy, creative economy, nighttime economy, events economy, high technology and premium services. But all of these should serve the same goal: modernization without losing identity.
I believe every structure built today should prompt one question: How will Hanoi residents see it 20 or 25 years from now?
Every project should have a distinctive character and embody intelligence and refinement. We should not build structures that, decades from now, make us realize they have diminished the city’s appearance.
What, then, is the ultimate measure of successful urban planning?
It is not how many buildings a city manages to construct. The question is whether, decades from now, Hanoi will be more beautiful, more modern and more prosperous while retaining its “soul.”
Preservation does not mean locking heritage away. Heritage, culture and landscapes should be used appropriately so they can become resources for development.
If Hanoi can achieve that, it does not have to choose between preservation and development. The two can complement each other.
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