Responses from the heart and wisdom of today's generation

Legends, history, Vietnamese spirit, conscience, dignity and character of Hanoi… all seem to converge, reflect and imprint in the space of Hoan Kiem Lake. The values ​​of each era blend into the landscape, architecture and daily life of Hanoians, contributing to creating the unparalleled position of the heart of the Capital. What value will this era leave on Hoan Kiem Lake for the future? That question requires an answer from the heart and wisdom of today's generation.

Hoan Kiem Lake area and vicinity, where many cultural and artistic activities of the capital take place. Photo: Thanh Ha

Unparalleled Value and Lessons from Transformation

The magnificent transformation of Mother Nature has created the premise for the formation of the historical landscape and urban space on the right bank of the Red River today. Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the center of that land, silently witnessing the formation of the old quarter, the French quarter.

Perhaps the fate that led to the name Hoan Kiem/Sword Lake from the legend recorded by Nguyen Trai in "Nam Son Thuc Luc" has made Thang Long - Dong Do - Hanoi retain the "jade" in the heart of contemporary heritage.

The story of nature blending with legend has created the value of a peace-loving capital. It is a testament to the formation of culture associated with the Red River, a reminder of a city born from water, a city with thousands of lakes and ponds - of which Hoan Kiem Lake is a typical example of Hanoi's precious nature.

Hoan Kiem Lake witnessed the transformation of history, when for the first time a new center appeared in the heart of the feudal city. In the 16th century, the Trinh Lord's palace was established here with majestic structures such as Ngu Long tower, Ta Vong communal house, Thuong Tri palace... The two centers are spatial expressions of a time when both lords and kings existed on Thang Long land.

On the urban level, this is not only a milestone for the birth of a new highlight, parallel to the historical political center of Thang Long Imperial Citadel/ Ba Dinh; but also an open state - a mixed intersection, without separation between the urban area/ Ke Cho and the ancient royal dynasty, something quite rare in the feudal Eastern culture. Is this a sign for future public spaces, with Hoan Kiem Lake being the chosen place as the predestined fate of this sacred land?

Choosing Hanoi, the French chose Hoan Kiem Lake as an inheritance and promotion of the value of Vietnamese urban space according to a completely new model. Hoan Kiem Lake seems to condense and spread the value from the water landscape with small Vietnamese works in all directions. The lake, green landscape and surrounding roads form a central node - a special public space, a place of transition between the diverse urban structures of the Capital.

Hoan Kiem Lake, together with the heritages or vestiges of the Vietnamese people such as Turtle Tower, Hoa Phong Tower, The Huc Bridge - But Tower - Ngoc Son Temple complex, in that public space, has created the Vietnamese spirit in the contact, collision and fusion of Vietnamese - French culture on the architectural level.

The European-style neighborhood formed around the lake does not affect the lake space and Vietnamese heritage architecture. Indigenous elements appear subtly in many French architectures. A small square embodying Western urban elements is cleverly placed at the transition between the old quarter and the Vietnamese space of Hoan Kiem Lake.

An interesting East-West dialogue, in which the square, now named Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc, serves as the foundation and condensation point for the urban flow from North to South through Dong Xuan - Hang Duong - Hang Dao streets towards Hoan Kiem Lake. That flow embodies the strong vitality of the Vietnamese people through historical changes.

Urban design techniques with routes, axes, flower gardens, squares and traffic intersections, create connections between Hoan Kiem Lake and important works in the surrounding area such as the State Bank headquarters, the Opera House, the Cathedral... all facing Hoan Kiem Lake, as if to admire and honor the value of the Capital.

From here, Hoan Kiem Lake becomes the wonderful heart of the Capital. There is a special diversity of functions, urban activities and harmony of architecture - landscape, a meeting place of East - West where the quintessence of Vietnam shines beautifully.

Following the rapid urbanization over the past 70 years, around Hoan Kiem Lake, there are structures that have been lost... That is the law of development, the new replaces the old! The City People's Committee building with a more imposing architecture has replaced the old town hall. The General Department Store has been replaced by a new architecture.

Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square no longer witnesses the clanging trams early in the morning and late at night, spreading out to the city gates from Hoan Kiem Lake, leaving behind many memories of a bygone era. The tram operating building with two small towers and a curved porch along the street, leaning on a row of slender columns... has been replaced by Hanoi's first supermarket. A large structure that people call "Shark's Jaw"...

Newness or loss both bring unforgettable feelings and lessons. Townhouses, or architectures near Hoan Kiem Lake, many new structures gradually form taller and denser. A bygone era has values ​​representing that period, but is it possible that the landscape space of Hoan Kiem Lake has become secondary to the need for development?

Essential for sustainable development

Hoan Kiem Lake has become a special national heritage and is gradually returning to its position as the most important public center of the capital with efforts to form a weekend walking space. Creative urban activities bring great efficiency in many aspects, especially in culture, art and economy. It can be said that the capital Hanoi has become a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network... from Hoan Kiem Lake.

This is a great motivation for the City to look at Hoan Kiem Lake with a new perception. The underground urban railway with station C9 - a modern factor appearing on the eastern bank of the lake will promote stronger innovation, in which public space is an inevitable solution. The vision of forming public space for the people. The heart of the Capital - where the urban heartbeat is contained must be towards the people, for the people.

The demolition of the “Shark Jaw” building and the creation of green spaces and squares in the northern, eastern and even western areas of Hoan Kiem Lake is a good thing to do. The demolition of this or other buildings is not an act of denying the past, but a way to restore balance to public space - so that the area around Hoan Kiem Lake can “breathe” more naturally. Urban change and renovation is a trend that is not only a choice, but sometimes a necessity for sustainable development.

Expanding a square or creating an open space is a way for Hanoi to regain balance in urban development. The value of this era is not only a place with large, modern buildings, but also a place where people are connected to nature, to history, to the values ​​that make up its soul.

When the space around Hoan Kiem Lake becomes more open, heritage sites such as Turtle Tower, Ngoc Son Temple or The Huc Bridge will be more honored. Hanoi will be more beautiful - not only in the eyes of tourists, but also in the feelings of the city's residents.

The changes will create a new look for Hoan Kiem Lake, helping Hanoi's symbols become natural highlights carrying the soul of the Capital from the past to the present. There will be more space for walking, stops, and cultural exchanges designed in a modern yet modest, harmonious way in general - so that this place is not only a tourist attraction, but truly the most important community activity center of the Capital.

A Hoan Kiem Lake that is not only visually beautiful but also lively - a meeting place, a place to tell stories, a place to preserve historical values, cannot be confined in old thinking. The unparalleled position of Hoan Kiem Lake in the city of memories, of history and also the city of progress will forever be the cultural heart of the Capital, a place to preserve the past and open up the future. That is the new spirit, promising new values ​​to add more beauty to this splendid land.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/kien-tao-khong-gian-ho-guom-tinh-than-moi-mang-den-nhung-gia-tri-moi-loi-dap-tu-trai-tim-va-su-minh-triet-cua-the-he-hom-nay-698045.html