After Hanoi City had a policy to demolish the "Shark Jaw" building and relocate about 10 agency headquarters and 40 households to expand the space around Hoan Kiem Lake (also known by many as Sword Lake), many opinions from people, experts, architects, culturalists, historians supported, and at the same time expected, the cultural space in the center of Hanoi Capital will have a new, more beautiful appearance...
The Hanoi People's Committee's approval of the proposal to demolish the "Shark Jaw" building and build an underground space in the existing square area to expand the cultural and community development space for the Hoan Kiem Lake area has received a lot of support, especially from people living around the Old Quarter. Experts say that this is an opportunity to systematically re-plan the area around Hoan Kiem Lake, not only to expand the space but also to enhance the landscape of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.
The project was in the wrong place from the start.
As of 2025, the commercial center building at 7 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hang Bac Ward, Hoan Kiem District (also known as "Shark Jaws") has turned 32 years old. According to the 1950 map of Hanoi, the current location of the "Shark Jaws" building is an empty lot in the space of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and Dinh Liet Street, which leads directly to Hoan Kiem Lake.
In 1991, this project was started and completed in 1993, with 6 floors mainly for restaurant and coffee shop business. "Shark Jaw" is located in a prime location in the capital, the front of the building faces Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and the left side faces Hoan Kiem Lake. From the 3rd floor of the building, you can freely admire the entire space of Hoan Kiem Lake with The Huc Bridge, Turtle Tower, Bo Ho Post Office...
According to Architect Tran Huy Anh - Standing Member of the Hanoi Architects Association, the original work was a metaphor for “The Moon and the Kite” designed by Architect Ta Xuan Van. However, after the rough construction, the work was nicknamed “Shark Jaw” by the public. According to Mr. Anh, the work was then stopped and assigned to another architect for repair and addition, and up to now the work has changed far from the original design, no longer having the elegance and sophistication of Architect Ta Xuan Van’s design.
According to architect Trinh Phuong Quan, the project was changed when the investor decided to expand the area and adjust the original design. This intervention not only lost the original idea but also turned the project into a controversial symbol.
Researcher Nguyen Ngoc Tien also shares the same opinion when he thinks that the “Shark Jaw” building should not have appeared in that location. When this building was about to be built, experts reacted very strongly. People did not object so much to the architecture, but mainly because the building is located across the old quarter from Hoan Kiem Lake, blocking the traffic between the two areas.
“Previously, from Cau Go Street and Dinh Liet Street, people could see straight to Hoan Kiem Lake, but the building stands out like a stuffy wall, blocking the view,” said Mr. Tien.
Visually adverse effects
Sharing with reporters, Dr. Architect Nguyen Quoc Tuan - Vietnam Association of Architects said, looking at 2 photos of the overall space of Hoan Kiem Lake taken in 1950 and more than 70 years later - in 2025, we see that Hoan Kiem Lake is becoming more and more cramped, with more concrete. The charm of Hoan Kiem Lake comes from the rows of green trees softly winding along the curve of the lake, to the low-rise houses, the undulating tiled roofs in harmony with the road, with the distance to the edge of the lake... All of these suitable elements have created the poetry, romance, cultural beauty and landscape of one of the most important public spaces in Hanoi.
“We cannot make the city stand still, because the nature of the city is a “living” entity, always moving and changing. However, that change needs to be harmonious and appropriate between the old and the new, between conservation and development. The “Shark Jaw” building can be a specific example of urban development but does not beautify a space that needs to be cherished and protected like Hoan Kiem Lake. Although at that time this building was built to meet the needs of developing tourism and commercial infrastructure, it had the opposite effect on the visual aspect,” Mr. Tuan expressed.
Some architects also said that although there have been many renovation efforts, it still cannot be resolved because the building was in the wrong location from the beginning. Therefore, according to architect Tran Huy Anh, after more than 30 years of existence, the demolition is a reasonable conclusion to start a new page, renovating the landscape architecture of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square area; expanding the cultural, historical and economic space around Hoan Kiem Lake.
From a historical perspective, historian Duong Trung Quoc said that in the 1990s, the “Shark Jaw” building was one of the first architectural works after the renovation. “However, when the building was completed, it received a backlash from public opinion, including myself and some historians and architects. Because for the first time, a construction project had a major impact on the landscape and space around Hoan Kiem Lake. Because many high-rise buildings built would turn Hoan Kiem Lake into a “pond”.
According to Mr. Duong Trung Quoc, if the “Shark Jaw” building is demolished, it will create a larger space for the landscape of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in particular and Hoan Kiem Lake in general. Especially when we exploit the depth of underground construction to increase the space and function of this area.
Hoan Kiem Lake will have a new look
According to researcher Nguyen Ngoc Tien, Hanoi’s decision to demolish the “Shark Jaw” building was the right one. After demolishing the building, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square should be expanded, returning the space to its former state. Absolutely no other structures should be built on it, destroying the charming beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake.
“Everyone knows that there is a conflict between conservation and development. Not everything that is ancient is valuable. But valuable things need to be carefully considered in the planning process, what should be kept and what should not be kept. The “Shark Jaw” building is such an example. It is necessary to ensure a balance between conservation and development,” Mr. Tien shared.
Sharing about this issue, Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang - Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, Member of the National Cultural Heritage Council, said that Hoan Kiem Lake is a symbol of culture and history of the Capital. In the hearts of many people, wherever they go, they remember Hanoi, remember Hoan Kiem Lake. Therefore, any architectural work that is built and has the risk of affecting the landscape must be extremely careful.
Professor Vu Minh Giang also said that the “Shark Jaw” building is not beautiful and spoils the landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake, so the policy of demolishing the building is completely correct. However, what needs to be done after the demolition is important. For the planning of the capital, there needs to be a thorough study, not only of architecture but also of history and culture.
Dr. Architect Nguyen Quoc Tuan also expressed that the Hanoi City's agreement to demolish the "Shark Jaw" building is very welcome. At the same time, the city should review other areas around Hoan Kiem Lake and the neighborhoods near the lake to be able to expand more public spaces, connecting spaces, cultural spaces, and Hanoi spaces.
"Of course, along with expanding the space of Hoan Kiem Lake, I hope that the cultural dimensions and qualities of Thang Long - Hanoi will also be promoted and developed accordingly," Mr. Tuan emphasized.
According to Mr. Nguyen Trong Ky Anh - Director of Hanoi Department of Planning and Architecture, after demolishing the "Shark Jaw" building and combining it with the surrounding streets, it will create a large open space to serve cultural and artistic activities on major anniversaries. The area east of Hoan Kiem Lake and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square are connected, so if we can create a space that connects historical relics and water landscapes such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, But Tower, and Ba Kieu Temple, it will be very good for the capital.
Need detailed planning, get people's opinions
Architect Pham Thanh Tung - Chief of Office of the Vietnam Association of Architects said that this project is not a heritage, so it will not be governed by the Heritage Law. Demolishing the "Shark Jaw" building is a correct policy, contributing to changing the appearance of the capital city, making Hanoi more beautiful. However, I think that after demolishing the "Shark Jaw" building, the authorities need to have a detailed plan, organize a public exhibition, and widely collect comments from the people, architectural experts and researchers who are passionate about Hanoi. Previously, Hoan Kiem Lake was surrounded by low-rise buildings. However, there was a period of rapid economic development, many high-rise buildings were built here. It is time for the central space to be harmoniously renovated. Hoan Kiem Lake needs to become a public space, a space for organizing cultural events. Along with that, Hanoi Old Quarter, which contains a long history, unique architecture and vibrant cultural space, has become an attractive destination not only for tourists. In the future, the number of tourists coming to Hanoi will increase, and more public spaces will be needed.
Source: https://daidoanket.vn/ky-vong-dien-mao-moi-cho-ho-guom-10301452.html
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