Many heritage sites in Hanoi are being destroyed or changed due to destructive restoration works.

Tram Gian Pagoda was almost demolished

during a terribly implemented restoration project

The upgrading work on Quang Huc Communal House in Hanoi's Ba Vi District drew widespread criticism when it was discovered that the old beams were replaced with inappropriate modern alternatives. Its design was changed and the ancient lions standing guard outside were replaced with new alternatives that had no relevance to the site.

This is not the first time such destructive restoration work has criticised. In 2012, the 1,000-year-old Tram Gian Pagoda was almost demolished while supposedly being restored.

Recently, a three-storey building was built in the middle of Huong Pagoda complex as guest house.

However, no individual or organisation took responsibility for the violations and the punishment was mild.

When Tram Gian Pagoda was partly demolished, district and communal officials only received warnings even though Law on Cultural Heritage states that those violating law shall be prosecuted according to the nature and severity of the violation and must provide compensation for the damage done.

Truong Minh Tien, director of Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism admitted that they didn't carry out inspections frequently enough and the law hadn’t been applied sufficiently enough to act as a deterrent.