On the afternoon of Saturday, March 15, the area around the "Shark Jaw" shopping center at 7 Dinh Tien Hoang Street near Hoan Kiem Lake was packed with people eager to take their last photos before the building is torn down.
Constructed between 1991 and 1993, the building faces Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, with one side overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, another adjacent to Cau Go Street, and the rear occupied by local restaurants and cafes.
Over the years, it became a popular spot for Hanoi residents, particularly during firework displays due to its location.
At the beginning of this month, Hanoi authorities announced plans to demolish the building as part of an urban redevelopment project for Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hoan Kiem District.
The area will be redesigned to include a three-level underground space featuring cultural and commercial areas and parking facilities, with underground access points near Dinh Liet Street.
Many residents expressed support for the demolition, but still felt nostalgic about its removal. For Hanoi residents, "Shark Jaw" was controversial when first built.
Vu Thanh Luyen, a student from Hai Phong City which is 120 km from Hanoi, had never heard of "Shark Jaw" before moving to the capital city. Over time, she became familiar with its presence and enjoyed taking photos there due to its setting.
Lan Anh (R), a Hanoi resident, visited with friends to capture photos of the building as a keepsake.
"Demolishing it is a good idea. I think the architectural harmony of the area will improve," she said, adding that she looks forward to comparing before-and-after images of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.
Ngoc Anh, also from Hanoi, shared that many city landmarks are tied to her childhood memories. She and her husband had their first date at a café on the building's third floor, and it was also where he proposed to her.
"Those are beautiful memories," she reflected.
Since her daughter, who is studying abroad, couldn't see the building one last time before its demolition, Anh recorded a video to send her.
According to Anh, while the building is a memorable part of the city, its function has run its course, and she supports its removal.
A group of designers - Fuli, Roza, Jenn, and Nick - had seen images of "Shark Jaw" on a Chinese social media platform. They were surprised to learn about its impending demolition.
As a designer, Fuli noted that the building's curved and rounded structure stands out from the more rigid, rectangular architecture common in Hanoi.
"I think this space should be turned into a public area after the demolition, with no vehicle access," she suggested.
Nick found the building striking, describing it as looking like "a piece had been bitten off," making it recognizable in the city. He also appreciated the glass balconies, which provided views for observing the streets below.
"It's sad to see such a structure being taken down," he said.
Ta Hong Ngoc, who works at a café opposite the building, sees "Shark Jaw" daily. Although she had not paid much attention to it before, she now feels sentimental about its disappearance.
"For over a decade, this building has been considered quite upscale," she recalled.
The balconies of the restaurants in the building were always fully booked.
While some Hanoi residents felt the interior design of the building's restaurants was not impressive, they agreed that the view and atmosphere made it a unique spot.
On the afternoon of March 15, the area near Cau Go Street was crowded with people taking final photos of the building.
