Under the overall concept, the lake area would become a large public square that links directly with August Revolution Square and the Hanoi Opera House, creating a broader “History – Culture – Arts” zone for the capital.

The design places the arch in Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, which lies to the north of the lake. Planners describe it as a visual gateway that would strengthen the connections around the water and the nearby historic sites.

Dinh Dieu Huong, a Hoan Kiem Ward resident who studied landscape architecture in the United States, said the arch could become a focal point along the spatial axis and help draw visitors’ eyes toward Turtle Tower in the lake’s centre. She added that, if the structure incorporates Vietnamese cultural elements, it could give the area a fresh visual identity.

Nguyen Tien Dat, who has lived around Hoan Kiem Lake for more than 60 years, warned that a triumphal arch often looks like a victory monument rather than an entrance gate. He argued that, in the current design, the arch might appear out of place.

Pham Hoang Viet, a tourism professional from the same ward, echoed those concerns. He said the lake is known for its historic, contemplative character, and any new construction should be considered carefully to preserve the city’s unique cultural identity.

Other residents, such as Dinh Linh, also stress that new structures should reflect Hanoi’s own identity instead of borrowing foreign architectural forms, so that the city can develop while still being recognisable to locals and visitors alike.

The debate shows how a single architectural idea can trigger wider discussions about heritage preservation, cultural identity, and modern urban development in a historic city.