VietNamNet Bridge – An exhibition being held at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts displays photos showing that old temples in Hanoi have been turned into hotels, coffee shops and even underwear shops.

Hang Quat Temple has been turned into a hotel.

The exhibition, entitled “Talking to temples” by Artist Nguyen Anh Son, has raised viewers’ concern about cultural heritage encroachment in a blatant way.

Son said that when compared to the map of Thang Long Citadel in the French Colonial period, Hanoi’s Old Quarter has not changed much. Dozens of lakes and ponds have been kept as they were;  then he decided to survey village temples in the Old Quarter area.

Among 71 photos taken by him, only one third of the temples are still used for worship, while the rest have been transformed for other uses. For example, Hang Quat Temple where the ancestors of bamboo tap fan production are worshiped, has been turned into a hotel, while the temple at No. 8 Hang Buom is now used as a fashion shop.

While he was making the photo collection, Son saw different reactions from people who lived near the temples: some expressed  doubt, some were upset. However, he did receive strong support and sympathy from the people who take care of the temples.

Some photos of the exhibition:

Dong Huong Temple at No. 82 Hang Trong Street turned into a credit office.

Kiem Ho Temple on Hang Von Street now used as a hotel.

Hoa Thi Temple on Hang Dao Street now transformed into a fashion/underwear shop.

Du Vu Temple on Hang Da Street.

Co Tan Temple on Tran Quang Khai Street used as a training centre.

Tu Duong Temple on Hang Buom Street used as a coffee shop.

Hang Thiec Temple turned into a banking transaction office.

VNN/DTriNews