A pilot programme to renovate part of a street in Ha Noi's Old Quarter will begin in October with a view to restoring other streets in the historic centre.
The project plans to restore a 52m section of Ta Hien Street, often referred to as pho Tay (Westerners' street), to its original mixture of French-style terrace houses and century-old Vietnamese traditional houses.
Restoration is set to coincide with the capital's 1,000th anniversary celebrations in October. First properties to get a facelift will be near the junction with Luong Ngoc Quyen, at what is known as "international bia hoi corner".
On the right side of the street there are 10 two-storey terrace houses in French architectural style with sloping tiled roofs. On the left side there's a group of houses of traditional Vietnamese design.
All of the houses were built in the early 20th century when the country was still under French colonial rule. The basic structures are still intact, albeit dilapidated.
The original facades of the houses will be replaced, which will involve plastering and painting, redecorating balconies and windows, and applying a unified design for front doors, air-conditioning units and advertising boards.
Debasing alterations to shops and salons on the ground floor level will also be attended to.
The road surface will be repaved with stone while water drainage and night-light systems will be upgraded.
The VND15 billion (US$798,000) project is the result of co-operation between Ha Noi, the French city of Toulouse, and the capital's Institute for Urban and Rural Architecture and Planning. Up to 40,000 euros ($51,800) will be provided by the French government.
Before: The 52m section to be renovated, near the junction of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen. VNS Photos Truong Vi
A plan of the project was displayed earlier this month to gauge public opinion.
"We will make appropriate adjustments if necessary," said Pham Tuan Long, deputy head of the Old Quarter Management Board.
"Ta Hien is one of the few streets in the area where the original architecture largely remains. That's why we chose it," he said.
Another reason was that Ta Hien is one of the most attractive spots in the area for foreign tourists and expats. It is one of the busiest streets in the Old Quarter with a variety of services, such as bars, restaurants, travel agencies, souvenir and clothes shops, along with shops aimed at local Vietnamese clientele.
After: The original architectural style, which dates back to the early 20th century.
It is said that Ta Hien is the first street that backpackers visit when they arrive in Ha Noi and the last place they see before they leave.
"International bia hoi corner" at its junction with Luong Ngoc Quyen Street hosts a series of cheap bia hoi stands, which attracts tourists and Vietnamese alike.
The renovations plan has been met with some reservations from residents who feared it would create a contrast with the more run-down section of the street near Hang Buom Street.
"It would be unacceptable to have such a contrast on one street," said resident Anh Ngoc at house number 17.
Long said he did not think that would be a problem. He explained that the local authority wanted to preserve the section with the most valuable architecture first.
"Moreover, this is a pilot project to sound out public opinion," he said. "If the feedback is good, we will gradually expand the work to the rest of street and other streets in the Old Quarter. The next street we are planning to restore is Lan Ong."
The project comes at a time when authorities face criticism for turning the city into a big construction site to beautify the capital for its millennium anniversary. Ta Hien residents are among those who are concerned, although they have agreed to the project.
"I support the city's policy. We all want to have a more tidy and beautiful street," said the owner of a small tea shop at house number 12, one of the 18 households involved in the project.
"But I am worried that the work will be prolonged, like many others. This will affect our lives because most of the houses here are used for businesses and the people would lose considerable income during that time."
The woman said the project had already been delayed several times.
"Initially, I was told it would start last September, and then November, but it still hasn't," she said.
Another resident said she hoped the planners paid attention to quality.
"For example, each house will have a new wooden door. If the wood is bad quality, it will quickly decay and then who will have to pay to repair that?" she said.
However, residents were reassured by architect Nguyen Hoang Long from the Institute for Urban and Rural Architecture and Planning, who are working as consultants for the project.
"We will try our best to fulfil the task as quickly as possible so as not to disturb the owners' routines and business."
Renovation work would be carried out on one house at a time to fit in with the owner's timetable. VNS
A pilot programme to renovate part of a street in Ha Noi's Old Quarter will begin in October with a view to restoring other streets in the historic centre.
The project plans to restore a 52m section of Ta Hien Street, often referred to as pho Tay (Westerners' street), to its original mixture of French-style terrace houses and century-old Vietnamese traditional houses.
Restoration is set to coincide with the capital's 1,000th anniversary celebrations in October. First properties to get a facelift will be near the junction with Luong Ngoc Quyen, at what is known as "international bia hoi corner".
On the right side of the street there are 10 two-storey terrace houses in French architectural style with sloping tiled roofs. On the left side there's a group of houses of traditional Vietnamese design.
All of the houses were built in the early 20th century when the country was still under French colonial rule. The basic structures are still intact, albeit dilapidated.
The original facades of the houses will be replaced, which will involve plastering and painting, redecorating balconies and windows, and applying a unified design for front doors, air-conditioning units and advertising boards.
Debasing alterations to shops and salons on the ground floor level will also be attended to.
The road surface will be repaved with stone while water drainage and night-light systems will be upgraded.
The VND15 billion (US$798,000) project is the result of co-operation between Ha Noi, the French city of Toulouse, and the capital's Institute for Urban and Rural Architecture and Planning. Up to 40,000 euros ($51,800) will be provided by the French government.
Before: The 52m section to be renovated, near the junction of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen. VNS Photos Truong Vi
A plan of the project was displayed earlier this month to gauge public opinion.
"We will make appropriate adjustments if necessary," said Pham Tuan Long, deputy head of the Old Quarter Management Board.
"Ta Hien is one of the few streets in the area where the original architecture largely remains. That's why we chose it," he said.
Another reason was that Ta Hien is one of the most attractive spots in the area for foreign tourists and expats. It is one of the busiest streets in the Old Quarter with a variety of services, such as bars, restaurants, travel agencies, souvenir and clothes shops, along with shops aimed at local Vietnamese clientele.
After: The original architectural style, which dates back to the early 20th century.
It is said that Ta Hien is the first street that backpackers visit when they arrive in Ha Noi and the last place they see before they leave.
"International bia hoi corner" at its junction with Luong Ngoc Quyen Street hosts a series of cheap bia hoi stands, which attracts tourists and Vietnamese alike.
The renovations plan has been met with some reservations from residents who feared it would create a contrast with the more run-down section of the street near Hang Buom Street.
"It would be unacceptable to have such a contrast on one street," said resident Anh Ngoc at house number 17.
Long said he did not think that would be a problem. He explained that the local authority wanted to preserve the section with the most valuable architecture first.
"Moreover, this is a pilot project to sound out public opinion," he said. "If the feedback is good, we will gradually expand the work to the rest of street and other streets in the Old Quarter. The next street we are planning to restore is Lan Ong."
The project comes at a time when authorities face criticism for turning the city into a big construction site to beautify the capital for its millennium anniversary. Ta Hien residents are among those who are concerned, although they have agreed to the project.
"I support the city's policy. We all want to have a more tidy and beautiful street," said the owner of a small tea shop at house number 12, one of the 18 households involved in the project.
"But I am worried that the work will be prolonged, like many others. This will affect our lives because most of the houses here are used for businesses and the people would lose considerable income during that time."
The woman said the project had already been delayed several times.
"Initially, I was told it would start last September, and then November, but it still hasn't," she said.
Another resident said she hoped the planners paid attention to quality.
"For example, each house will have a new wooden door. If the wood is bad quality, it will quickly decay and then who will have to pay to repair that?" she said.
However, residents were reassured by architect Nguyen Hoang Long from the Institute for Urban and Rural Architecture and Planning, who are working as consultants for the project.
"We will try our best to fulfil the task as quickly as possible so as not to disturb the owners' routines and business."
Renovation work would be carried out on one house at a time to fit in with the owner's timetable. VNS
