This week Hanoi will organize a workshop to collect opinions about the designs for the five giant gates to welcome the city’s 1000th anniversary.
Last week, LookAtVietnam reported that Hanoi authorities will spend 50 billion dong (over $2.63 million) to build five giant gates at its five gateways. Hanoi Vice-Chair Phi Thai Binh on June 22 named five contractors to build the gates, firms that are willing to build the gates free or cover at least 50 percent of the cost.
Also on June 22, the Steering Board for Thang Long-Hanoi’s 1000th Anniversary presented designs for the five gates.
The first gate features ten “chim lac” (Vietnamese legendary birds) and will be built on 5000sq.m in Dai Xuyen commune, Phu Xuyen district. The second gate will be also built on 5000sq.m in Thanh Xuan commune, Soc Son District, featuring a replica of a Dong Son bronze drum. The third gate will be built on 4000sq.m of land in Hoai Duc district, featuring a bronze drum rising from the ground and water. The fourth will be located on 1200sq.m in Duong Xa commune, Gia Lam district, featuring a sail and a wooden stake used by Tran Hung Dao to kill Mongol invaders in the Bach Dang River. The last gate will be located on 2800sq.m in Ninh Hiep commune, Gia Lam district, featuring eight dragons to symbolize the eight Ly kings.
After the media reported this plan, the public expressed many different opinions, especially about the design. As a result, a workshop will be held with the participation of architects and experts to discuss this issue.
Nguyen Trong Tuan, Steering Board for Thang Long-Hanoi’s 1000th Anniversary Office Chief, argued that it is unnecessary to build all five gates. If only 1-2 gate designs are approved, then Hanoi should build only 1-2.
“I only agree with the design of the Bac Thang Long-Noi Bai gate that features featuring a replica of a Dong Son bronze drum. The Phap Van-Cau Gie gate with ten Lac Viet birds is also a good idea, but it needs to be perfected,” Tuan added.
According to the Steering Board for Thang Long-Hanoi’s 1000th Anniversary, these gates will be built by composite plastic or fiberboard to lower construction cost and ensure their durability for only one year. If the people like the designs, they will be re-built using permanent materials.
On Hanoi’s plan to revoke 14,000sq.m to build these gates, Tuan asserted that, if Hanoi doesn’t build all five gates, the five plots of land will be used as parking lots.
Hanoi has yet to make a decision about the gate designs, but the city’s 1000th anniversary is in just 100 days.
The proposed designs of five gates:
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| The gate features a replica of a Dong Son bronze drum. |
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| The gate features a bronze drum rising from the ground and water. |
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| The gate features eight dragons to symbolize the eight Ly kings. |
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| The gates features a sail and a wooden stake used by Tran Hung Dao to kill Mongol invaders in the Bach Dang River. |
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| The gate features ten “chim lac” (Vietnamese legendary birds). |
PV
