Cover Shark Jaws – the controversial commercial development on Hoan Kiem Lake – is set to conclude its 30-year chapter
Shark Jaws – the controversial commercial development on Hoan Kiem Lake – is set to conclude its 30-year chapter
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The once-divisive Shark Jaws building on Hoan Kiem Lake is reaching the end of its three-decade presence. Once seen as an incongruous addition to the heart of the Old Quarter, it is now making way for a new vision. But what will take its place?
Hoan Kiem Lake has long been the cultural and historical heart of Hanoi, where time has left its imprint on every moss-covered roof tile, and the Turtle Tower casts its silent reflection on the water’s surface. In this nostalgic setting, the emergence of the Shark Jaws building in the early 1990s was an abrupt modern note in an otherwise harmonious symphony. Constructed on the site of the former tram station, this project—officially named the International Trade Centre - commands a prime location, overlooking Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and offering sweeping views of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Since its inception, the International Trade Centre has been a subject of heated debate: was it a symbol of progress or an architectural misstep in the city’s historic fabric? Now, as the project nears its conclusion, the challenge extends beyond simply dismantling a controversial structure. It is now about determining how to redefine the space it leaves behind.
An “out of sync” presence
Above The International Trade Centre, also known as ‘Shark Jaws’, at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi (Photo: Flickr / Nau Da)
The International Trade Centre, also known as ‘Shark Jaws’, at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi (Photo: Flickr / Nau Da)
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Designed by architect Ta Xuan Van, the Shark Jaws building was conceived in the early 1990s and completed in 1993. However, as Van revealed in a 2019 interview, the final structure deviated significantly from his original vision. Upon returning from a business trip, he discovered that alterations had been made: the building had been enclosed, sections demolished for expansion, and its intended aesthetic lost—resulting in a more imposing, unfinished look.
Controversy surrounded the project from the start. Despite its official name, the structure was quickly dubbed ‘Shark Jaws’—a wry reference to the way its concrete form jutted into the lake, appearing to take a ‘bite’ out of Hoan Kiem’s elegant landscape. Yet, over time, Shark Jaws became a familiar presence, a defining feature of the district that attracted countless visitors.
Above The International Trade Centre, also known as ‘Shark Jaws’, at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi (Photo: Flickr / akira_minh)
The International Trade Centre, also known as ‘Shark Jaws’, at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi (Photo: Flickr / akira_minh)
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Some view it as a symbol of transformation, mirroring the dynamic pace of life and the inevitable commercialisation of modern Hanoi. The high-rise cafés and restaurants provide rare vantage points over the lake, offering a striking contrast to the small, uneven rooftops of the Old Quarter.
Yet it is precisely this contrast that many find difficult to accept. The building’s design follows none of the architectural language of its surroundings, engages in no dialogue with history, and appears to exist solely for commercial gain. Compared to the area’s architectural heritage, Shark Jaws feels detached—an intrusive presence imposed upon its setting.
The controversy surrounding ‘Shark Jaws’ is not unique to Hanoi. Architectural history is filled with structures that were once reviled, only to be reassessed through a different lens.
Stories of controversial landmarks
Above The International Trade Centre, also known as ‘Shark Jaws’, at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi (Photo: Flickr / minh_duc91)
The International Trade Centre, also known as ‘Shark Jaws’, at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi (Photo: Flickr / minh_duc91)
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Parisians once decried the Eiffel Tower as an affront to the refined skyline of the City of Light. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum was dismissed as a spectacle rather than a functional space. Yet over time, public opinion shifted—the Eiffel Tower became an enduring icon, while the Guggenheim is now regarded as an architectural masterpiece.
For more than three decades, the ‘Shark Jaws’ building has been a familiar sight on Hoan Kiem Lake. Though contentious from the outset, it has gradually become part of Hanoi’s urban memory, appearing in countless photographs and films despite its limited architectural merit. However, its continued presence no longer aligns with the city’s long-term vision.
What will take its place?
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The decision to remove ‘Shark Jaws’ is not merely an aesthetic one. It signals a broader urban strategy: to return open space to the city centre and restore traces of the public square and tram line that once stood there. Yet amid the discussions of redevelopment and anticipation for a fresh landscape, a crucial question remains: how will the void left by ‘Shark Jaws’ be filled? Will it give way to a structure that is more iconic, more enduring, and one that truly respects the historical significance of Hoan Kiem Lake?
Dismantling a controversial building does not guarantee a better future. What truly matters is how the space is reimagined. The debate surrounding this structure extends beyond architecture—it is about striking the delicate balance between preservation and progress, a challenge faced by every city with a rich cultural heritage.
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