The master plan for Hanoi until 2050, which was made public to gather public opinion, will be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly at its next session in Hanoi.

Preservation of Old Quarter remains on paper!

Many have said that attention has only been paid to the planning itself, not the problems contained within it. For example, the construction of Van Cao-Hoang Van Tham road saw part of the former Dai La citadel razed to the ground.

Dr Nguyen Van Son, Director of the Co Loa and Hanoi ancient citadel Centre, said that Vietnam has been able to preserve only unearthed objects but they do not have any experience in detecting and preserving objects lying deep underground. He added that the costs of doing this is also a problem.

The Old Quarter in downtown Hanoi is also food for thought as preservation must be coupled with improving the local people’s living standards, said Do Thi Lan, vice head of the Urban Planning Department.

She went on to say that trade villages in Hanoi are under pressure from urban expansion and massive construction.

However, writer Hoang Quoc Hai said preservation must be selective as the resources are limited. He said that the set targets must be specific and achievable. He warned that Hoan Kiem lake and its surrounds are being seriously threatened by surrounding ‘giants’ (implying unaesthetic tall buildings), which irritate people who are concerned about Vietnamese culture, including many tourists from overseas.

Preservation in parallel with development

The master plan for Hanoi aims to build a historical, cultural urban area with beautiful scenery and sympathetic architect. The planners have set out the criteria for the city: Green-Cultured-Civilized-Modern.

However, things are not be as simple as they seem with the zoning plan extending its scope to many surrounding areas.

Dr Nguyen Doan Tuan, head of Hanoi’s Department of Relics and Beauty Spots, remarked that the planning must be as detailed as possible, taking into account both preservation and development. The relevant agencies must take pains to identify and prioritize what needs preserving.