The beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake is being destroyed because of human activity, according to one photographer who has devoted his life work to taking pictures of the site.
Photographer Quang Phung
“I see deterioration of the trees around the lake because of root-cutting, making them prone to falling down during storms. Others have been cut down for construction work," said photographer Quang Phung.
The lamps that shine around the lake might add something to the atmosphere, but installing them requires digging to a depth of 70cm, affecting trees' health. Hanoi's central lake has also become a gathering ground for refuse.
By the end of 1954, after the Geneva Convention, the city's Administrative Committee, now known as the People’s Committee requested that Hoan Kiem Lake be a 'noise-free zone', meaning that people would not be allowed to gather there in large groups.
The photographer said, “I am nearly 80 years old now, and I regret to think about the transformation of the lake. It's just incredible to see how different it is now, despite all this money poured into upgrading it."
He said, “Hoan Kiem has always held a special place in the hearts of Hanoians. I've seen mothers who were in family disputes come to the lake to console themselves, and young girls who were with romantic problems. It's a place where people come to feel better."
“A culture and police team ought to be set up to protect the area, controlling the traffic flow around the lake and other problems, such as excessive noise, that have been ruining its atmosphere," he said.
A photo of Hoan Kiem lake by Quang Phung
