VietNamNet Bridge – They have invested more than VND40 billion ($2 million) and a lot of effort in the Zone 9 “arts district," so investors are upset when the Hanoi authorities decided to close Zone 9.

The appeal to the youth of Zone 9

Zone 9 is closed after fatal fire

After the close of Zone 9 was reported by the media, business people in this area were very worried. Despite all shops remained open and repair work was continued, all traders were in very bad mood. Every few minutes, they were on the phone or grouped up to discuss solutions.

Ms. Giang Trang, who runs a shop here, said that all investors had an emergency meeting on December 4 and they decided to lodge an appeal to the local government.

According to incomplete statistics of the residents of Zone 9, nearly 60 shops and studios in this area invested more than VND40 billion ($2 million) in this place. One of the biggest investors is Trang, the owner of Bar Betta, with over VND3 billion, a VND500 million ($25,000) cafe and a furniture store. All are located in this zone.

As a renowned photographer in Hanoi, Mr. Nguyen Dang Long said he and his brother had invested VND600 million ($30,000) to build a photo studio here. "The biggest concern is not money. As artists, we wanted to create a playground of art, a creative environment here," Long said.

Lawyer Nguyen The Truyen, another resident of Zone 9, said: "The authorities should allow us to do business here for three years as the term in the contracts. Then if they see that this model is effective and should be developed, they can allow us to keep operating or set up another zone for us."

In recent months, Zone 9 has become a favorite destination of Hanoi youth. Many concerts of underground artists, exhibitions ... haven been held in this place.

Zone 9 is the former home of the Central Pharmaceutical Enterprise 2, which faces Tran Thanh Tong and Nguyen Huy Tu roads, Hanoi. This zone consists of five blocks built in the 1960’s.

After over 50 years, some areas have deteriorated. Many walls and ceilings were cracked; beams and pillars were also rusty. After the Central Pharmaceutical Enterprise left, this area was abandoned. In early 2013, a number of individuals and organizations hired and turned this place into an entertainment center for the youth, which is known as “Zone 9.”

Zone 9 is the home to coffee shops, bars, restaurants, fashion shops, studios, galleries, yoga classes and art centers. Each shop is designed in a unique style, but having a common thing - ruins and nostalgic atmosphere with peeling walls and recycled furniture.

People said that Zone 9 is attractive for its desolate, silent atmosphere, which is very rare in a bustling city like Hanoi. Zone 9 is compared to "Paris in the heart of Hanoi" and many young people like to take pictures here.

At Zone 9, many art events took place such as the Berlin street art and light art show held by the German Embassy, the exhibition of Hanoi in the subsidy period, the traditional music or underground music shows...

In September 2013, the first accident occurred here. Two young girls were shooting on the 4th floor, then they fell to the third floor when the railing collapsed. After the incident, the local authorities have suspended granting business license in this zone.

On November 19, a fire at the Fuse Bar in Zone 9 killed six people. After the fatal accident, the Hanoi authorities have decided to close the zone.

Thanh Van