VietNamNet Bridge - The Hanoi People's Council has ratified a list of construction works for preservation, including old streets, traditional craft villages, the works built before 1954 and intangible cultural heritage in the city.

The headquarters of the Ministry of Transportation at No. 80 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi.

Specifically, the list includes 79 old streets, one ancient village, seven typical craft villages, 225 villas and 41 works built before 1954. Among them are many famous architectural buildings in the capital, such as the Opera House, the State Bank of Vietnam building, the Great Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Government Guest House and the Sofitel Metropole Hotel.

Some works that are lesser-known but have cultural and historical value are also included in the list, such as the Headquarters of Hoan Kiem District Police Agency, the floating pavilion on the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Hanoi Post Office, the Tran Phu and Chu Van An High Schools, the Hospital K and the Hang Dau water tower.

The head office of a few ministries such as the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Information and Communications are also on the list. These buildings will be kept intact.

Most deputies agreed with the list but some expressed their worries about the fate of old villas. Hanoi has over 1,000 old villas listed that are worth to be saved, but only 255 villas are selected.

The Hanoi People's Committee Chairman – Mr. Nguyen The Thao said that the works on the list were selected based on the standards of the Ministry of Construction and the contribution of the specialized agencies.

Le Ha