How is the Shark Jaw Building in Hanoi now?

In recent days, the Hoan Kiem Lake area (Hanoi) has become strange as the "Shark Jaw" building, a familiar structure located in Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square, is in the process of being demolished.

Records at the scene showed that the workers had almost finished the work, only the final stages remained. Previously, since mid-June, the area around the building had been fenced off by the old Hoan Kiem district to ensure safety during the construction process.

The "Shark Jaws" building is located adjacent to Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter, two special national monuments. Therefore, the demolition was carried out with extreme caution.

After this project is dismantled, the area will be planned as an underground space, and at the same time, Hanoi City will continue to renovate the overall technical infrastructure and landscape of the square area to match its heritage status.

The renovation of Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square is being implemented by the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District (old) in two phases.

The first phase includes dismantling the "Shark Jaw" building, relocating the transformer station, renovating the facade of the Hapro building at 7-9 Dinh Tien Hoang, and renovating the roofing system, signs, and facades of buildings on neighboring streets such as Dinh Tien Hoang, Cau Go, and Hang Dao. At the same time, traffic will be reorganized to reduce motor vehicles and maximize public space for tourism.

Phase two of the project will focus on developing underground space in the square, expanding and renovating works along the street, synchronously upgrading the technical infrastructure system, and adding urban equipment suitable for the functional activities of the area.

All are implemented on the basis of consultation with ministries, architectural councils and research conducted by the Hanoi Institute of Urban Planning. The goal is to form a modern urban space, connecting heritage and serving the development of tourism in the capital.