Hanoi's Hang Dau Water Tower is nearly 130 years old but is not classified as a relic because the law does not have regulations on industrial heritage, according to the leader of the Department of Culture and Sports.
On the morning of November 17, Hang Dau water tower, Ba Dinh district, was transformed into an art space by artists, opening to the public for the first time.
Hang Dau Water Tower was built by the French in 1894 along with Don Thuy Tower, an ancient architectural work of Hanoi. The tower provides clean water to the people of the old town. Water from Yen Phu water plant is brought to the tower to be distributed through pipes to the streets. By 1960, the project was closed and abandoned for a long time.
Hang Dau Booth seen from outside. Photo: Giang Huy
Mr. Do Dinh Hong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, said that Hang Dau water tower is considered by experts and Hanoi lovers as one of the valuable industrial heritages that need to be preserved and promoted. However, the law does not have any provisions on "industrial heritage", so the project is still the property of the Hanoi Clean Water Corporation and has not been classified as a relic.
"Industrial heritage plays an important role in the cultural life of the capital, so the city can advocate for amending relevant laws, decrees, and circulars to better exploit them," said Mr. Hong, adding that the Department will propose that the city build a mechanism to preserve public assets with cultural value and attract tourists, such as the Hang Dau water tower and the Gia Lam train factory.
Ba Dinh District has sent a document to the City People's Committee requesting to be assigned to manage the water tower instead of Hanoi Clean Water Corporation.
Hanoians wait to visit inside the Hang Dau Water Tower. Photo: Anh Duy
The issue of industrial heritage was raised in 2022 when Hanoi City passed a resolution on the list of houses and land to be relocated according to the planning in the area, including many industrial facilities. Some experts believe that the rapid development in urban areas in recent years has wiped out many early industrial production facilities with historical, cultural and economic value (through tourism exploitation).
Hanoi’s industrial heritage is factories and workshops from the French colonial period to the period of building socialism in the North. These are not only architectural works but also evidence of a difficult period for the country as well as Hanoi.
Therefore, some experts suggest institutionalizing the concept of industrial heritage in legal documents such as the Law on Cultural Heritage or the Law on Architecture to have a legal basis to preserve and promote the value of these historical works.
Water pipes inside the tower. Photo: Anh Duy
The art installation at Hang Dau water tower is one of the activities within the framework of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 (from November 17 to December 31) hosted by the Hanoi People's Committee and the Vietnam Association of Architects.
In addition to this location, the group of architects and artists also introduced art spaces at historical buildings and relics such as Gia Lam Railway Factory, Hanoi Station, Long Bien Station, and Long Bien Bridge during the festival.
Tourists line up to experience Hang Dau Water Tower. Video: Anh Phu - Loc Chung
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