Discover Hanoi for beautiful colonial architecture.

Discover Hanoi for beautiful colonial architecture.

Through many ups and downs of history, the French architectural works bearing the Indochina imprint in Hanoi today still have a striking beauty, unique and also a poetic, romantic aftertaste of landscape.

Many people come to Hanoi and love Hanoi because of the ancient architecture in the breath of modern life rhythm. Please also check out the remaining French-style architectural works in the heart of the capital.

OPERA HOUSE

 Hanoi Opera House - Photo: Eric Alvarado


Hanoi Opera House is one of the few French architectural buildings that exists almost intact to this day. The theater was built in a long time, from 1901-1911. Inspired by the famous Opéra Garnier in Paris, Hanoi Opera House is really a massive architectural work of the time, with a total area of ​​2,600m2, an average length of 87m, an average width of 30m and the highest point from the ground is 34m.

The Opera House and the Opera House Square are home to many important historical events of the country such as rallies and demonstrations. This is also the place where the National Democratic Republic of Vietnam National Assembly meets for the first session on March 2, 1946.

BIG WORSHIP

Cathedral - Hanoi - Photo: X5

A famous 19th-century European building, Hanoi Cathedral was built in 1884 and completed in 1886. When built, the church was named Saint Joseph.

The church is built in the style of Gothic architecture in colorful and symmetrical sides. The project is 64.5m long, 20.5m wide and two 31.5m high bell towers with heavy stone pillars of four corners, at the top are stone crosses. When you come here, you will be overwhelmed by the solemnity of a religious architecture.

VIETNAM HISTORY MUSEUM

Museum of Vietnamese history - Photo: Minhboca

Located at 1 Trang Tien, the Museum of Vietnamese History was built in 1925-1932, in the style of Indochina architecture which means that the structure of the building is completely in French style at that time. However, there has been a search, change in terms of space and architectural structure to be able to adapt to climate conditions, landscapes as well as indigenous cultural traditions. Because of this, this combination of Asian and European architecture has both elegant and elegant features but also very familiar.

Today, the work is used as a museum to display and introduce historical materials and objects through periods as well as dynasties of the Vietnamese nation.

In the museum campus, there are also cafes serving tourists to relax after visiting and studying history.

LONG BIEN BRIDGE

Long Bien Bridge - historical witness - Photo: Kazuhito "Kai" Hira

Long Bien Bridge is the first steel bridge across the Red River connecting two Hoan Kiem districts with Long Bien district of Hanoi, built by France (1898-1902). 2.4 km long bridge, is the longest bridge in Asia at that time. Through many ups and downs of history, the bridge has been repaired many times. Interestingly, there is a metal sign on the top of the bridge with the names of two architects and five bridges ("1899-1902 - Dayd & Pillé - Paris"). The bridge has been squeezed over three centuries, witnessing three divine resistance of the Vietnamese people and becoming the symbol of Hanoi capital.

HOA LO PRISION

Hoa Lo Prison - Hanoi - Photo: monsieurpotts

Hoa Lo Prison was built in 1896 by the French colonialists, with the aim of detaining Vietnamese anti-colonialists and patriotic revolutionaries. This place is the most memorable destination about the heroic past that is painful.

The exhibits here are related to the Vietnam War for independence. It also houses a French guillotine, once a tool to execute revolutionary soldiers. The prison ruins also show short documentaries, depicting American prisoners imprisoned here.

DONG XUAN MARKET

Dong Xuan Market - Photo: Huyda

In 1890 the French government began to build Dong Xuan market, with five arched arches and five bridges of 52m long and 19m high. French architectural façade, consisting of five triangular shaped holes like honeycomb, corrugated iron roof. When referring to Hanoi, visitors will remember Dong Xuan - the market was born and associated with the process of commercial development of Thang Long land. This place is not merely a trade point but also has a cultural and spiritual value reflecting the life of the people of Hanoi. Bang Son writer once said, "Whoever has the opportunity to return to Hanoi, if he has not gone to Dong Xuan market, he will be considered a small part, a small corner, or not yet to Hanoi."

Each architecture works not only with artistic value but also with its historical mark. What is left in the hearts of those who have ever set foot in Hanoi is the appreciation of the past and the beauty of traditional values ​​in the land of thousands of years of civilization. If you have the opportunity to come to Hanoi capital, do not miss these interesting destinations.