On the morning of 12/8, workers at the Hoan Kiem Power Company loaded equipment onto trucks. Offices facing Dinh Tien Hoang Street were closed, with notices announcing the relocation.

Similarly, staff at the Hanoi Association of the Blind and the city's conference center (under the Hanoi People's Committee Office) were also packing. However, relocation timelines and new office locations have not yet been announced.

Equipment being moved from the Hoan Kiem Power Company, morning of 12/8. Photo: Hoang Phong

Equipment being moved from the Hoan Kiem Power Company, morning of 12/8. Photo: Hoang Phong

The relocation is part of Hanoi's plan to redevelop the eastern area of Hoan Kiem Lake. The plan involves expanding public space by over 20,000 m2, affecting about 12 offices and businesses and nearly 40 households.

A proposal from March suggested relocating the National Power Transmission Corporation, the Northern Power Corporation, the Hanoi Power Corporation, the Dien Luc Hotel, and the National Electricity System and Market Operation Company to the Cau Giay New Urban Area where other corporations are located.

The city has tasked the former Hoan Kiem district with identifying land within the district to relocate the Hoan Kiem Power Company, the State Treasury office, and the Citizen Reception office.

Equipment being removed from the Hanoi Association of the Blind. Photo: Hoang Phong

Equipment being removed from the Hanoi Association of the Blind. Photo: Hoang Phong

The Department of Construction is reviewing city-owned land and buildings to find new locations for the Department of Culture and Sports, the Institute of Literature (under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), the Hanoi Population and Family Planning Sub-Department, and the Hanoi Association of the Blind.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment has been tasked with researching and proposing the highest possible compensation and land-based resettlement (in Dong Anh district) for eligible residents affected by the project.

After the relocation, the area will be transformed into a special square and park. Phase one, funded by public investment, will focus on above-ground construction. Phase two will involve building three underground levels beneath the square, connecting to station C9 of the Nam Thang Long - Tran Hung Dao metro line.

Two areas under consideration for Hoan Kiem Lake expansion (in yellow). Graphic: Do Nam

Two areas under consideration for Hoan Kiem Lake expansion (in yellow). Graphic: Do Nam

Hanoi aims to complete the above-ground portion of the square and park by National Day, 2/9. However, only a few city agencies have begun relocating, with most others operating normally.

In addition to the eastern Hoan Kiem Lake project, Hanoi is also developing a separate urban design plan for the northern part of Hoan Kiem Lake and the southern part of the Old Quarter, focusing on Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square. The "Shark Jaw" building has already been demolished to expand public space.

Vo Hai