Hanoi’s Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square gets spacious new look

The upgrade followed the demolition of the city’s iconic Ham Ca Map, or Shark Jaw, building, which began in June.

After the demolition was completed in August, the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem Ward expanded and refurbished the square covering over 1.4 hectares, giving it a renewed and modernized identity.

As observed on Wednesday morning by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, the first phase of the refurbishment has transformed the square into a cleaner, more accessible urban space.

A large LED screen has been installed on the former site of the Shark Jaw building to display national events, cultural promotions, and tourism information.

Along Dinh Tien Hoang Street, workers were proceeding with internal upgrades, using tarpaulins to cover ongoing works.

The street has also seen the introduction of stone planters and benches arranged as a ‘mobile fence’ that can be repositioned to expand pedestrian areas on weekends.

Post-renovation, most of the Dinh Tien Hoang Street adjacent to the square has been designated for pedestrians, while a narrow lane along Hoan Kiem Lake remains open to vehicular traffic.

The ward relocated a former parking area on Dinh Tien Hoang Street and resurfaced the street to further improve the public environment.

These enhancements marked the completion of the first phase of the Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square renovation project.

The administration of Hoan Kiem Ward will begin the second phase, focusing on further improving infrastructure and integrating new features in line with directives from the municipal People’s Committee.

The second phase consists of developing the underground space, renovating the first row of buildings surrounding the square, and upgrading technical infrastructure in a way that aligns with the status of Hoan Kiem Lake as a national special relic site.

Moreover, the ward will add urban amenities to better serve the square’s evolving civic and cultural functions.