Iconic Opera House joins sites on Hanoi’s tourist circuit

Domestic, foreign visitors

The Hanoi Opera House launched a tour entitled “History, architecture and traditional arts” on September 6. On the first day of the opening, many visitors from various provinces arrived in Hanoi, hoping to visit the famous center of music and the arts, which thus far has only been open to those attending performances and concerts at the site.

Hoang Trung Su from Nam Dinh Province said he had heard about the tour through the media and came to visit with his wife. “It is a wonderful opportunity to set foot in the capital’s iconic work as we not only see art performances, but also learn about the history of the theatre’s construction and architectural style,” Su said.

Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, director of the Hanoi Opera House Management Board, said the opening of the Hanoi Opera House will serve a large number of domestic and international tourists wishing to see the inside of the centrally located, iconic structure and enjoy traditional art performances. “With the guidance of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the support of the Department of Performing Arts and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, we hope to build high-quality art programs for domestic visitors and international friends,” Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet said.

Presidents and moguls

The Hanoi Opera House was built by the French during the early years of the 20th century. The exterior is a mix of French neo-classical design with shuttered windows, wrought iron balconies and tile friezes.

The building rises 34 meters above the ground and covers 2,600sq.m. Its main auditorium contains 870 velvet-covered seats, and smaller ornate rooms accessed by a grand staircase are available on the middle floor for various events.

Behind the theater, an administration wing holds 18 suites for makeup, two rooms for training, one library and a stateroom.

In recent years, the stateroom has welcomed many high-ranking officials, among them Russian President Vladimir Putin, 42nd US President Bill Clinton and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.

The building has hosted state meetings and international conferences, lending it great value in terms of history and usage. It is historical evidence of Hanoi’s and Vietnam’s social and cultural development and a relic of a period of architectural development in Vietnam in late 19th century and early 20th century. The Hanoi Opera House and Theatre Square was the scene of great historical events associated with the August Revolution. The National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam held its first meeting at the Hanoi Opera House.

In 2011, the Hanoi Opera House was recognized as a national historical and architectural monument.