The “Shark Jaw” building near Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi is being actively dismantled. As of early July, passersby at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square no longer see the distinctive six-story structure that once loomed over the historic lakefront.

By 5 p.m. on July 7, the demolition along Dinh Tien Hoang Street had been completed, leaving only a small portion of the building facing Cau Go Street.

An 8-meter-high barrier now surrounds the work zone, though traffic can still pass through adjacent roads.

Workers are operating during daytime hours to keep pace with the timeline. The demolition of the above-ground portion is scheduled to conclude by August, allowing redevelopment of the square to proceed.

Currently, Cau Go Street and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square remain fenced off for safety reasons.

Water is being sprayed frequently during demolition to reduce airborne dust and minimize impact on nearby residents and businesses.

The iconic structure now stands in fragments, with the fifth floor fully demolished.

Cleanup and waste removal are ongoing. The goal is to clear the site and return the space before Vietnam’s National Day on September 2, making way for a renewed public square.

Once dismantled, the site will be converted into an underground development area. Hanoi authorities plan to explore further uses for subterranean space at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, refurbish surrounding façades, and upgrade technical infrastructure to match the historical and cultural significance of Hoan Kiem Lake, a recognized national heritage site.

Built between 1991 and 1993, the ‘Shark Jaw’ building stood at the edge of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, next to Cau Go Street and facing Hoan Kiem Lake. It consisted of six floors, with floors two to five once housing restaurants and cafés serving both locals and tourists.

The overall demolition and redevelopment project will be carried out in two phases. Phase one, currently underway, includes five major components and is scheduled from May to August 2025.

The Bang