Urban beauty: Experts agree on the need to preserve the present vista around Hoan Kiem Lake in Ha Noi. — VNS Photo Truong Vi

HA NOI (VNS) — Architectural and cultural experts together with local leaders share the same view on the need to preserve the present vista around Hoan Kiem Lake in Ha Noi.

At a workshop held here on Wednesday, architect Truong Van Quang said that city planners should ensure harmony between modern architecture and the Hoan Kiem Lake environment so that new buildings would not infringe on its beauty and open spaces.

"Special old buildings like the Opera House, Government House, the State Bank, the central Post Office, Thuy Ta restaurant should be preserved and regularly upgraded," he said.

"And spiritual places such as Ba Kieu Temple, Ngoc Son Temple, Ba Da Pagoda and Ly Thai To Park deserve to be similarly respected," he said.

Sharing a similar view, architect Pham Thanh Tung said that special landscapes and architecture should be respected. He said no more new buildings should be built in the area.

"We should not be too interested in the idea of turning the area into a pedestrian-only zone because the existing one-way traffic system surrounding the lake is very convenient and safe," he said.

To Anh Tuan, from the Viet Nam Urban Planning and Development Association, said that a pedestrian zone surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake was a choice with "not very high convenience".

"Before we change the area into a pedestrian zone or any other functional area, we should take great care of the area's existing pre-eminent values," he said.

"Any project harming the values and making the area less attractive and less busy will be an expensive failure."

Many participants said that preserving and bringing into full play architectural, cultural and historical space of Hoan Kiem Lake required cultural managers and the whole community. — VNS