LookAtVietnam – Thirty per cent of the population of Ha Noi’s overcrowded Old Quarter will be moved to the other side of the Red River if a project proposed.

Hang Dao Street in Ha Noi’s Old Quarter. City authorities plan to relocate about 30 per cent of the overcrowded Old Quarter’s population to the other side of the Red River.

In the first phase, which will start towards the end of next year, 1,900 households will be re-established in a new high-rise residential area, the Viet Hung, now being built in Long Bien District.

Approval for the whole project is expected to be given in a few months’ time, according to deputy head of the Old Quarter Management Board Le Quynh Anh.

The first part of the project is expected to cost the Government VND4,000 billion (US$222 million).

Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem District Hoang Cong Khoi said that, on average, the average living space for each resident is a tiny 1.5-2sq.m.

“The overpopulation firstly affects the quality of residents’ life,” said Anh.

The continual expansion of living quarters to meet demand has led to the construction of more than 500 homes referred to as slums.

Some of the older “tube” dwellings, about three metres wide and up to 60 metres long, were once comfortable homes and small workshops for a few dozen people. Now, many house up to 100 people each.

A census by the local People’s Committee indicates that almost 1,000 old houses, built more than a century ago, are suffering from severe deterioration or simultaneous expansion and repair work that has distorted most of their original architecture.

Khoi said the high density of the area made management a tough job. Almost 600 families are actually living in the grounds of historical buildings, including ancient temples and nearly 40 others have invaded school precincts.

And more than 70 former households have now been classified as “parasite” in office areas under the census. All the people involved in these illegal uses of building space will be the first to be encouraged to move.

“Because there are at least 13,000 family enterprises in the Old Quarter, many illegally spill over onto pavements and footpaths,” said Khoi.

Even though no official approval has been given for the planned exodus, Ha Noi People’s Committee chairman Nguyen The Thao said the project showed sound direction and would be “a must”.

“The idea of moving part of the population out of the Old Quarter has nothing to do with building or restoration, but targets the improvement of living standards for many residents,” said Thao.

He said the Viet Hung residential area in Long Bien District had been confirmed as the new home for those relocated from the Old Quarter. One or two other places a little further away may also be considered for the population overflow.

Anh said that residential high-rises would serve as the new homes for those relocated because of limited land for resettlement.

She said the main goal of the project was to provide convenient living conditions close to markets, schools and hospitals.

But many residents seem doubtful, although Thao said the city would provide free vocational training to those willing to move. A recent survey by the Old Quarter Management Department indicates only 6.7 per cent of people in the area wish to change home.

The Old Quarter, with its reputation as a crafts and trade area, became firmly established after King Ly Thai To built his citadel, Thang Long, almost a thousand years ago.

In the early 13th century, the collection of tiny workshops that clustered around the palace walls evolved into craft co-operatives. Skilled craftsmen migrated to the quarter from regional villages. Artisan guilds were formed by craftsmen originating from the same villages.

This system for selling and making merchandise in designated streets has evolved into a business quarter that has created a special feeling for the city - and for the tens of thousands of tourists who visit it each year.

All seven international tourists that Viet Nam News talked to said they liked the area the way it currently was.

“I don’t think it’s overpopulated actually. No, not more than anywhere else in Asia and in Viet Nam that we’ve been to,” said Shonika Scortechine from Australia. “It’s what we expected from Asia as well.”

Canadian Doris Schuh said she thought part of the charm of coming to Ha Noi was seeing the old quarter with the high density.

“Persuading residents to move is definitely the toughest point of the project,” said Anh, who confirmed that the move would work on a voluntary basis.

The family of 60-year-old Nguyen Thi Minh Duong has been sticking to Lan Ong Street for almost a century.

“It’s true that our place is not that spacious, but we are used to our lifestyle in the very centre of the city here. We would rather stay cramped up here than move to anywhere else,” said Duong.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News