Public opinion is paying great attention to the project to renovate the space east of Hoan Kiem Lake. He once wrote the book "5678 steps around Hoan Kiem Lake" about the cultural and historical space around Hoan Kiem Lake. If divided into important milestones in the historical journey of Hoan Kiem Lake, what will be the milestones, sir?
Hoan Kiem Lake (also known as Hoan Kiem Lake) has gone through a very long historical journey with many changes and fluctuations. In the past, during the Ly - Tran period, Hoan Kiem Lake was located outside the Red River dike, also known as Luc Thuy. Later, the lake was divided into 2 parts, Ta Vong and Huu Vong. Huu Vong was gradually filled, while Ta Vong is now Hoan Kiem Lake.
In the book "A campaign in the North", recorded that in the 19th century, people lived around the lake, and came here to wash rice, bathe, and build houses next to the lake.
In 1885, the French planned the old quarter and built a new quarter in the style of a Western urban area, they evacuated people to build a road around Hoan Kiem Lake. This road was inaugurated on the occasion of Tet in 1893, the city government organized folk games such as burning fireworks, climbing fat poles, racing in baskets, covering the eye of a dam... around the lake and in the lake.
Since then, Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding areas have become the center of the city and the first public entertainment destination in Hanoi.
In 1925, Hanoi regulators issued a decision to widen the road around Hoan Kiem Lake, grazing soil around the lake to make miniatures, planting more trees, this decision was met with fierce reaction from the ancient Uncle Ho's remote- oriented Institute (this incident was assigned to protect cultural relics across Indochina).
Hoan Kiem Lake is a testament to history, having witnessed many ups and downs and fluctuations. Each architectural work surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake also bears the mark of the times.
In the 18th century, King Trinh Giang built Khanh Thuy palace on Ngoc Island, built a small Ta Vong palace on the Water Turtle Mound, these two places became places for partying, playing, and fishing for lords and nobles. Around 1877-1878, Ta Vong Dinh was built as the Turtle Tower and has existed until today.
Then Khanh Thuy Palace became a temple. Today's Ngoc Son Temple is the location of the ancient Khanh Thuy Palace. During the reign of King Tu Duc, Nguyen Sieu renovated the temple in which he worships Van Xuong, the god of literature, and erected Dai Nghien and Thap But as symbols of Hanoi's land of learning. At the end of the 19th century, the province's fruit trees flocked to Hanoi to compete in Huong's praying for the Canh Phat Temple to hope for success. Young grapes rental accommodation in the old quarter, studying on an empty night must have something to eat, from this need, sales women have come up with a congee with a heart to serve at night for young grapes.
Many people when mentioning the Hoan Kiem Lake area will mention the land price of billions of dong per square meter. But with a researcher who knows the flow of time on the Turtle Tower, Hoan Kiem Lake... Then, will you evaluate this area with layers of sediment crystallized from culture and history?
The fluctuations in collisions of each era have created a priceless layer of cultural and historical sediment for the lake and the area around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Real estate in the old quarter is said to have the most expensive price in Hanoi. In terms of formation history, that area includes both old neighborhoods and old neighborhoods. During the Ly and Tran dynasties, the streets now known as Hang Than, Hang Duong, Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Trong... were the dykes/cities of Thang Long citadel, so the west of this road axis was the ancient land located in the citadel while the east was outside the dykes.
Although it is a beach land, there are also houses and religious works, up to now, it has a history of 6 and 7 centuries. Hoan Kiem Lake during this period was also outside the dike.
When the French occupied Hanoi, Hanoi became a French conccession city in 1888. They re-planned the old quarter, built a new quarter to the east and south of Hoan Kiem Lake.
In 1890, the government issued a construction regulations for Hanoi, around Hoan Kiem Lake, only 2 floors are allowed to be built, if any project wants to be built higher, it must be permitted with reason.
In the second half of the 20th century, a number of high-rise buildings were built, making the lake look like a pond.
But Thap used to be the tallest structure in the Hoan Kiem Lake area, but now it looks too small.
Therefore, this project to renovate the space east of Hoan Kiem Lake, I personally think this is a huge change.
The demolition of Ham Ca Map building or the plan to relocate 11 agencies, units and 40 households... in the East of the lake, I hope will expand the space, open up the view, create harmony between the lake and the surrounding area.
Throughout history, Hoan Kiem Lake and the surrounding streets have undergone many changes. In your personal opinion, which change is the most turning point?
I think that the decision to build a road around Hoan Kiem Lake is a turning point decision, so that Hoan Kiem Lake will become the center of entertainment in Hanoi.
I used to work at 44 Le Thai To building for a long time, the most beautiful building in the Hoan Kiem Lake area, so I had the opportunity to explore the lake and the surrounding area through documents and narration.
I was lucky to have the opportunity to meet and talk with many culturalists, historical researchers, architects associated with Hanoi, and people who are knowledgeable about the formation and development of this city, helping me gain more understanding of Thang Long - Hanoi.
After more than 1,000 years, since King Ly Cong Uan moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Dai La and changed its name to Thang Long, this ancient capital has gone through many changes.
For me personally, the most beautiful and impressive image is him defending himself wearing blue clothes wearing a CKC gun passing his lover wearing silk pants, a fil fil fil fillet and also wearing a CKC gun. Both of them wore square star hats, they cycled on the deserted Dinh Tien Hoang street. At that time, Hanoi was against the US. That image is romantic, peaceful, and indescribablely beautiful.
As a lover of Hoan Kiem Lake, a lover of the cultural and historical space surrounding this area, what do you expect from this space renovation project?
Life is constantly changing, so changing the face of a certain area is completely possible. something familiar with the eyes and body can be replaced with something else, causing regret and disadvantages. I understand this feeling, so I can sympathize and share.
However, changes to meet current social needs and future thinking are very necessary in the process of urban development.
I just hope that, no matter how renovated or planned, the Hoan Kiem Lake area will still retain its own beauty, space, cultural and historical relics.
In the future, if one of the two too high projects on Dinh Tien Hoang Street no longer exists, the lake space will be larger and more airy.
After removing Ham Ca Map building - the " wall" separating the old town and the lake space - no longer exists, standing at the beginning of Dinh Liet street, you can see Hoan Kiem Lake and vice versa, that is interesting.
