Place

Captivating Hanoi: Four Essential Insights

Preserving Hanoi's unique and vibrant character is not about transforming it into a static museum piece.

9 December, 2024

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A conservationist approach is understandable for a small historic town, but it could hinder the progress of a major urban center.

Hanoi boasts a rich architectural heritage, encompassing traditional temples, elegant French villas, and imposing Soviet-era buildings. Losing or damaging this legacy would indeed be a tragedy for the city and the world.

The charm of Hanoi. Photo: Duy Minh/The Hanoi Times

However, large urban centers are vital engines of economic growth. Preserving them as static relics of the past could hinder Vietnam’s journey towards prosperity. While Hanoians may appreciate living in a city that resembles an outdoor museum, it should not come at the cost of modern amenities, better job opportunities, or longer commutes.

Hanoi’s allure extends beyond its architecture. It lies in its tree-lined streets, serene lakes, bustling sidewalks, yellow walls, and garden-like balconies. Focusing solely on architectural preservation might neglect these subtle yet essential aspects that make Hanoi unique and endearing.

Cities like Hanoi thrive as hubs of human interaction, employment, and innovation. They attract talent, foster idea exchange, and drive development. A static museum city, regardless of its aesthetic appeal, cannot fulfill these critical functions. While it may attract tourists and benefit local businesses, it cannot propel the nation to new heights of progress.

As an economist, I understand Hanoi’s aspiration to become a global city with world-class infrastructure, international connections, and a vibrant creative scene. However, as someone who deeply loves this city, I firmly believe that this transformation can occur while preserving its captivating character.

Here, I propose four practical strategies to harmonize heritage conservation and urban development, borrowing terminology from urban economics: “zoning,” “land use,” “regulation,” and “incentives.”

Zoning is a tool used by urban planners to designate specific areas for certain types of buildings. It determines the maximum height of constructions and sets distances from other structures or public spaces. For a city to evolve, increased density is necessary, and taller buildings can accommodate more people in a smaller area. Efficient transport infrastructure, coupled with higher density, expands job opportunities and shortens commutes. However, density control is crucial in Hanoi’s most distinctive areas.

To maintain the character of the old and French quarters, strict enforcement of building heights is essential. Additionally, tall structures should be avoided near tranquil pagodas and intimate lakes to preserve the unique ambiance of these areas.

Land use refers to the types of activities permitted in specific zones. Hanoi’s lively atmosphere stems from the integration of living and business spaces. In the traditional Asian style, residents often operate shops on the ground floor while residing on the upper floors. In contrast, cities with segregated land use can become dull when business activities cease in the evening. This segregation is common in American cities and is increasingly visible in new developments in Hanoi, which may be tidier but lack the vibrant energy of the old city.

Therefore, my suggestion is to maintain mixed land use in Hanoi’s most distinctive neighborhoods and along sidewalks, allowing food stalls to operate during mealtimes, especially in the evenings.

Regulation plays a crucial role in orchestrating the decisions of millions of households and businesses, ensuring they collectively contribute to a better city. Urban regulation acts like a conductor in an orchestra, guiding various instruments to create a harmonious melody instead of a discordant cacophony.

Some regulations should foster harmony by encouraging the use of a “pattern language,” as architects call it. While investors in some areas of Hanoi are currently required to build in the “French style,” this could be expanded to include other distinctive features of the city, such as garden-like balconies. Regulations should also apply to urban authorities, preventing them from widening streets at the expense of tree-shaded, livable sidewalks.

Additionally, regulations should deter disruptive practices. Currently, investors who build excessively tall buildings or demolish protected French villas face fines. However, these fines are often insignificant compared to the profits gained from non-compliance. Instead, delinquent investors should be mandated to rectify their actions at their own expense, such as demolishing overly tall structures or reconstructing demolished villas.

Incentives are essential to align the interests of households and businesses with the broader societal goals. For instance, preserving a beautiful French villa benefits the city but imposes costs on its owners, who might profit more from selling it to investors intending to demolish and rebuild. Property owners would also incur costs if they were required to regularly repaint their walls in Hanoi’s iconic yellow or transform their balconies into miniature gardens.

Urban authorities can offset these costs through various initiatives. For example, they could offer to repaint walls in Hanoi yellow annually at no cost to residents or provide cash bonuses to households that beautify their balconies in a uniquely Hanoian style.

Designing incentives for demolition bans is more complex. In this case, easements, a legal instrument that obliges property owners to preserve specific aspects of their property (such as the façade), can be considered. In exchange for agreeing to the easement, the owner receives compensation, such as tax relief. This ensures that future owners are also bound by the same obligations.

These are just a few suggestions to balance heritage preservation and urban development in Hanoi. There are certainly other instruments and strategies that can be explored further. My primary goal is to emphasize that Hanoi’s captivating character can be retained as it evolves into a modern and prosperous metropolis without turning it into a static museum.

Excerpt from the book “For the Love of Hanoi” by Martin Rama, an economist with the World Bank.

Martin Rama is known to many Vietnamese for his award-winning book “Hanoi Promenade,” which captivated readers with its love for the city. Nearly a decade later, his second book, “For the Love of Hanoi,” further showcases his deep connection with Hanoi, reflecting his journey from enchantment to commitment.

His latest book, “For the Love of Hanoi,” was released on July 29, 2023, inviting readers to explore Hanoi through his passionate perspective once more.