The Hanoi Times - Walking through the Red Square in Moscow or visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris is only a dream for many Vietnamese people.
But now these dreams may come true in a way without them leaving home, if a project to form 36 new streets with the traits and names of 36 of the world’s capitals is realised.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the Ha Noi’s People’s Committee to consider and study the idea, which was proposed by the Tieu Diem Communications Company.
Nguyen Thien, director of the company, said that coupled with the 36 ancient streets, the capital would have a new attraction, with 36 new streets showing the architectural and cultural features of capitals across the world.
For example, Berlin Street would be designed with the Brandenburg Gate and snowbell trees, while Amsterdam Street would have tulip gardens, said Thien.
This would be a cultural project to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi, and would also be evidence that the country had integrated into the world, he added.
Ha Noi could make plans with these capitals to have their names here, said Thien.
But the idea will only be successful and profitable if it can drum up interest from the tourism industry and relevant enterprises.
The Urban Development Department under the Ministry of Construction sent a message praising the idea, and suggested a working meeting with the company on the subject.
Difficult task
Nguyen Duc Hoa, deputy director of Ha Noi’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, said that relevant authorities needed time to study the idea, and that it would not be a simple task, as when new streets were added to districts, they already had designs and architecture in place.
Only afterwards were legal procedures made to name the streets. So, if the idea was implemented, it would be necessary to put aside land, said Hoa.
Dao Ngoc Nghiem, an architecture, said that a really large space would be needed to build these streets.
It would be too difficult, said Nghiem.
"There were many reasons for the city to choose only 36 capitals in the world, but Ha Noi had great relationships with many more," he said.
Many well-known heroes, scientists and writers who have contributed to the building of the country have yet to have streets named after them, so authorities should pay attention to them instead of these unreal ideas, said Le Van Noi, a Hanoian.
The capital will also have to consider whether to name the streets in Vietnamese, or in the language of their own countries.
VNS