Hanoi approves Hoan Kiem Lake redevelopment amid heritage concerns
The 66ha project would add public and commercial spaces by 2029, while experts question demolition plans and the consultation process.
Hanoi’s People’s Council has approved a redevelopment proposal costing more than ₫22 trillion around Hoan Kiem Lake, despite concerns from heritage and planning specialists. The decision followed the People’s Committee’s submission of the investment proposal on 27 October.
The project covers 66ha of the capital’s historic centre, with transformation targeted for 2029. Its main investors are the local government and Capital Sun Real Estate Joint Stock Company, a Sun Group subsidiary.
Plans include a public square linking the lake, August Revolution Square and Hanoi Opera House, alongside underground facilities, parks, cultural and commercial spaces, more pedestrian space and a triumphal arch measuring 36m in height.
Proposed demolitions affect several buildings from the 1970s and 1980s, including the city authorities’ headquarters and parts of Hanoi Post Office and Hanoi Children’s Palace. A mixed-use replacement would have nine above-ground floors and four basement levels.
Architect Pham Thuy Loan, formerly deputy director of the National Institute of Architecture, warned that larger replacement buildings could disrupt the area’s balance. Urban planning specialist To Kien, an adviser to the People’s Council, said heritage protection requirements should be addressed before investment decisions.
The local government reportedly put support in the September consultation at 92 per cent, without detailing its methodology or response breakdown. Authorities said individual developments would undergo architectural competitions and public feedback, but experts questioned how earlier comments had influenced the plans.
