Ha Noi’s past gets a facelift
by Phuong Anh
An old postcard of Ha Noi’s Old Quarter would show a district that is worlds apart from today’s hustle and bustle, as the capital city’s trademark is quickly losing touch with its ancient features.
Leading historian Duong Trung Quoc is among the Hanoians who are getting homesick without leaving the city, as they feel out of touch with their own past.
"There is very little space of the Old Quarter left unchanged," he laments. "This is reflected in the architecture as well as the local spirit and culture."
Latest attempts to reverse the situation have resulted in an architecture competition launched by municipal authorities. The contest, which is open to Vietnamese and expatriates, seeks initiatives on restoring the Old Quarter’s traditional images.
A joint effort between the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Viet Nam Association of Architects and the Fund for the Promotion of Talents, the contest revolves around architectural designs for beautiful street corners, public gathering places, as well as ideas on details accentuating the differences between streets and the restoring of ancient houses in the quarter.
"It will be hard work, since what we are trying to preserve is not really something you can see," said architect Nguyen Truc Luyen, chairman of the Viet Nam Association of Architects and also the lead juror of the competition.
"What lies within the essence of the Old Quarter’s true spirit can only be grasped by those who have lived there. This also includes the lifestyle and cultural features of the area."
Moreover, he stressed that the restoration work will be done in "a living community," and ideas must take into account the locals’ concerns and needs as the majority of them are running businesses here to make ends meet.
Located on an area of 100ha, the Old Quarter today is home to more than 1,000 old houses. In 1010, when King Ly Thai To moved his capital from Hoa Lu in northern Ninh Binh Province to the then Thang Long (now Ha Noi), the Old Quarter was the metropolis’ trading hub, with 36 streets mostly named after the trade practised by their residents, such as Hang Gai, Hang Giay and Hang Bac (silk, shoes and silver respectively).
Today, the quarter is the centre of the city, and the place to be for trading activities. It is also the tourist area with shops, hotels, restaurants, internet cafes and other services targeting at travellers.
The living space for the locals, however, is well below standard. Behind the hustle and bustle scene, a world of extremely cramped accommodation and facilities is revealed. Large families squeeze into damp rooms which would cost far less in any other location.
The unorganised extension of households’ living areas quickly transformed the face of the quarter.
Hints for designers focus on the ability to transform the quarter into a sustainable living area bearing an air of its prevailing characteristics.
"Unlike Hue or Hoi An which are ‘sleeping cities,’ we want to construct a distinctive Ha Noi that still serves its people’s lives," said Nguyen Quang, deputy director of the Centre for the Support of Talents, another contest organiser.
Researchers have classified Ha Noi as a home to four heritage layers identifying different historical stages: the feudal period represented by the Old Quarter; the colonial times with the French area (near the Opera House); the post-war era as seen with the Russian-inspired architecture; and the modern features of today.
Quoc, meanwhile, raised concerns about the submitted projects’ feasibility. He said that designers must ensure that their plans were practical rather than just arty proposals.
Concerns about the restoration of Ha Noi’s image first came to the public’s attention in the 1980s. Nevertheless, work on the issue has been done at an idle pace, resulting in the establishment of a specialist department in 1999, following the Ministry of Construction’s Decision of the restoration of the quarter in 1995. Under this decision, several ancient houses were repaired.
Quoc also said he was nervous that Hanoians might lose their cultural spirit. After rocketing urbanisation, Ha Noi’s elite are losing track of a proper lifestyle, he said.
The competition’s deadline is November 8, with winners announced on November 20. An exhibition of the finalists’ designs will be held at 38 Hang Dao Street, Ha Noi between November 15 and 21. — VNS
