Ham Ca Map Building Hanoi: What Replaced It? (2026 Update)

By Simon Ngo, local guide at Vietnam Discovery Tours · Last updated: 28 September 2026

Written by Simon — local tour guide, Hanoi-based with Vietnam Discovery Tours for over 6 years.
Last updated: September 22, 2026

📌 Important update: The Ham Ca Map building (1-3-5 Dinh Tien Hoang Street) no longer exists. Demolition began on the night of June 19, 2025 and was completed around August 10, 2025, clearing the site for the expanded Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc walking square next to Hoan Kiem Lake. This article has been fully rewritten to reflect what’s actually there today.

If a friend once told you about grabbing coffee at the “Shark Jaw” building overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, or you saved the address 7 Dinh Tien Hoang in an old travel list — you won’t find that building anymore. As a Hanoi-based guide, I watched this happen in real time, from the crowds who came to take farewell photos to the cranes dismantling the top floor. Here’s exactly what’s there now, plus a much better reason to visit the area today: the Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market, just a short walk away.

1. What Happened to the Ham Ca Map Building?

In early March 2025, Hanoi’s city authorities approved the plan to demolish the Ham Ca Map building ahead of April 30, 2025, in order to build a 12,000 sqm Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square. Given the sensitive location right next to the Hoan Kiem Lake heritage site, the actual timeline shifted by a few weeks:

• On May 25, 2025, Hoan Kiem District authorities and Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transerco) began fencing off the site and removing interior fixtures to prepare for demolition.
• Close to 11:00 PM on June 19, 2025, the city officially began tearing down the building, using cranes to lift saws and drilling equipment to the top floor.
• By August 10, 2025, after nearly two months of work, demolition was complete — Hanoi no longer has the Ham Ca Map building. The cleared site, over 310 sqm, became part of the redeveloped Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square.

Why tear down such a familiar landmark? The main goal was to open up and restore breathing room to the area, creating a new pedestrian square connecting the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, designed to host a range of public functions. In short: the city traded a six-storey commercial building for an open public square — something the historic core of Hanoi had almost none of.

2. What Does the New Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Walking Square Look Like?

After demolition, the site was merged with the surrounding area to form a walking square of roughly 12,000 sqm — one of the few large open public spaces in central Hanoi.

Key points of the new plan:

• Seamless connection between Hoan Kiem Lake (to the north) and the Old Quarter (to the south), instead of the area being split by a building and a traffic roundabout as before.
• The city plans roughly three underground levels beneath the square: level 1 for cultural and commercial space, levels 2–3 planned as parking (or convertible to multi-purpose public space if parking isn’t needed).
• Surrounding buildings are being upgraded to match: the Long Van – Hong Van building, the Hoan Kiem Lake Cultural Information Center, and notably Thuy Ta restaurant — the only restaurant directly on the lake shore — which has had non-conforming sections removed and its facade renovated.
• The old fountain area is being studied for a new lighting design, possibly a “light tower” feature.

My take as a local guide: Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake on a weekend evening now and the difference is obvious — you can stand in the middle of the square and see straight across to the lake, with nothing blocking the view like before. It’s also a great meeting point before heading into the Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market nearby (see section 4).

3. What Was the Ham Ca Map Building? (Quick History)

For first-time readers, “Ham Ca Map” (“Shark Jaw”) was the local nickname for the building at 1-3-5 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, so-called because its architectural profile resembled a shark’s jaw. Built between 1991 and 1993 and managed by Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transerco), the building stood for more than three decades. For years it was a well-known spot to view Hoan Kiem Lake from above, popular with both locals and visitors — but architecture experts frequently flagged it as clashing with the historic, heritage character of the lake area, which was one of the main reasons behind the demolition decision.

4. What to Do Instead: The Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market

This is what I tell every guest who asks, “so what should I do instead of the old Ham Ca Map building?” Just a few minutes’ walk from Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square, you’ll find one of Hanoi’s liveliest evening experiences.

Opening Hours

• Open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday every week
• Operating hours: roughly 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM, extending closer to midnight during peak season (public holidays, Tet, summer)
• Busiest window: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Location

A roughly 3 km pedestrian stretch starting near Hoan Kiem Lake (Hang Dao Street), running through Hang Ngang and Hang Duong, and ending at the gate of Dong Xuan Market (Hoan Kiem District). From Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square, simply walk up Hang Dao Street to reach the start of the market.

What You’ll Find

• Clothing, accessories, homeware, and handmade souvenirs
• A street-food paradise showcasing classic Hanoi flavors: crispy fried spring rolls, savory pastries (banh goi), fruit-and-cream desserts, iced tea, and shredded dried beef salad (nom bo kho)
• Occasional street performances and cultural activities around the square area

Local Guide Tips

• Avoid the pre-packaged fast snacks sold right at the market entrances — freshness and quality are usually better at stalls tucked into the side alleys, where locals actually eat.
• Always negotiate the price when buying clothing or souvenirs — the first quoted price is typically 30–50% higher than what regular customers actually pay.
• Go around 7:00–8:00 PM if you’d rather avoid peak crowds, or after 9:30 PM for the liveliest atmosphere.
• Keep your wallet and phone secure in crowded sections — this is an open-air market with no mall-style security.
• Weekends get very busy; if you’re traveling with young children or older family members, go earlier in the evening.

5. Nearby Attractions

From Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square, you can easily combine a visit with:

• Hoan Kiem Lake — right next to the square
• Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian street — active on weekend evenings, directly connected to this area
• St. Joseph’s Cathedral — about a 5–7 minute walk
• Hanoi Old Quarter — Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Gai and surrounding streets
• Hanoi Old Quarter Night Market — as described above

6. Heading to Sapa Next? Here’s How to Get There in Comfort

After exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the new Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square, most travelers head north to Sapa. The two most comfortable ways to get there:

Option 1: Overnight Sleeper Train

The classic way to reach Sapa is the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, with private cabins, daily departures, and a smooth way to sleep through the travel time instead of losing a full day.

• Outbound: Hanoi – Sapa Train SP7 | Daily Private Cabins
• Return: Sapa – Hanoi Train SP8 | Daily Private Cabins

Option 2: VIP Sleeper Bus

If you prefer a direct door-to-door option without a train-to-bus transfer at Lao Cai station, the VIP sleeper bus is a comfortable overnight alternative straight into Sapa town.

• HK Open Tour Hanoi to Sapa: VIP Sleeper Bus