Hanoi's Hoan Kiem District to Revamp 131 Stone Arch Bridges

The Hoan Kiem People's Committee in Hanoi is preparing a detailed 1:500 urban design plan for the Phung Hung street corridor, which contains 131 historic stone arch bridges built in the early 20th century. The study area covers roughly 10 ha (about 8.77 ha of land) and 1.716 km of streets, linking the Old Quarter with the French Quarter. The plan aims to restore the bridges, ensure railway safety, remove illegal structures, and develop themed zones – craft‑making, community arts, food markets, a bazaar, and a public park – while preserving original architectural features. Of the bridges, six remain in traffic use, 97 are sealed with two walls, 21 with four walls, and seven near Long Bien station are unchanged. The project will standardise colours, materials, signage and lighting to create a cohesive cultural and commercial destination.