Despite being a small city, Hanoi’s architecture is a mixture of both domestic and foreign influences. Hanoi contains in it the ancient features of the feudal past, the modern features of the 21st century with monotonous blocks inspired by the Soviet Union, and the timeless French design.
In the process of forming Hanoi as it is today, some of the city’s works have clearly shown the typical imprint of French architecture. The influence is evident in the spatial organization, technique, construction materials and form of expression. The unique French architecture, in line with the native East Asian lifestyle, has become a feature of Hanoi’s thousand years of civilization.
Among the most beautiful French buildings in the city, these five are among the most famous ones not to be missed when coming to Hanoi.
Hanoi Opera House
The Hanoi Opera House, a smaller version of the Opéra Garnier in Paris, was built on July 6, 1901 and completed in 1911. The Opera House was built in an influential theater style. of classical works in Renaissance Europe.
The building occupies an area of 2600 square meters, at its highest reaching 34 meters above the adjacent road and the main auditorium measures 24 x 24 meters. Hanoi Opera House is a unique work with outstanding value in terms of history, culture, architecture and art.
Today, this is one of the most important hearts of Hanoi, which regularly organizes cultural activities, art performances, concerts, etc.
Hanoi Opera House – Photo: @thanhnpvn
Sofitel Metropole Legend Hanoi Hotel
Located in the heart of Hanoi, sandwiched between Hoan Kiem Lake and the magnificent Opera House, the hotel was funded in 1901 by two French investors. Sofitel Metropole Hanoi has a colonial feel with white painted walls, green windows, delicate iron patterns, wooden plank walls and green lawns.
This is the first 5-star hotel in Hanoi chosen by many ambassadors and celebrities to stay. Besides, Sofitel Metropole is the only hotel in the whole Indochina region with a unique collection of antique Citroen cars.
Sofitel Metropole Legend Hotel Hanoi – Photo: @traveldiaries550
Presidential Palace
The Presidential Palace was built in 1901 and completed in 1906, at first it acted as the palace of the Governor General of Indochina.
Like much of the French colonial architecture of the period, the building is entirely European in design, with the only hallmark of Vietnamese presence being the mango garden that surrounds the building. The layout of the palace is designed symmetrically, with a large block in the middle and two blocks on either side. The building is painted yellow and the giant green iron gate still guards the entrance of the building.
Currently it is the office of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Presidential Palace – Photo: @quangvinh52ndc
Dong Xuan market
Built by a French company named Poinsard Veyret in 1980, Dong Xuan market is one of the largest markets in Hanoi as well as the largest market in the Old Quarter area.
The design of the market is relatively simple: an area of 6,500 square meters consisting of 5 blocks with domes each 52 meters long and steel frames 19 meters high. The front entrance features French architectural splendor, including five sculptural triangular domes arranged like a honeycomb and metal roof.
After the liberation of the capital, Dong Xuan market still retains the function and civil architecture for Hanoi people and is now one of the most important wholesale markets of Hanoi.
Dong Xuan Market – Photo: @ironnam
Church of Saint Joseph
The church was built in 1886 in the Gothic style of medieval Europe popular in the 12th century and the Renaissance.
Saint Joseph’s Cathedral is very similar to Notre Dame Cathedral with arched domes pointing up to the sky. The church is 64.5m long, 20.5m wide, with two towers 31.5m high with massive stone pillars at four corners. At the top of the church is a huge stone cross. The church also owns a collection of Western-made bells including four small bells and one very large bell which cost 20,000 francs to build at the time. It also has a giant clock that the alarm system links to five bells hanging from two towers.
To this day, Saint Joseph’s Church still holds many Masses during the day and is often crowded on weekends and religious holidays.
French architecture in Hanoi has become a heritage of both historical significance and harmonious combination with traditional architectural elements of the urban landscape. It has made an important contribution to forming a beautiful image of Hanoi and creating an unforgettable impression on those who visit the thousand-year-old land of Thang Long Dragon.
Saint Joseph’s Church – Photo: @barok_bagsik
Source: https://traveland.com.vn
