Apart from ancient Oriental structures, French-styled buildings are also indispensable parts of Hanoi, the millennial capital.
It will be a pity if you skip buildings constructed during French colonial time on days exploring the city. When arriving Indochina in the 19th century, the French planed Hanoi to become an importantly administrative, cultural, and economic center. Therefore, many significant constructions were invested and built methodically with large scale. Until now, universities, theaters, administrative offices, hospitals and villas still keep almost entirely their value and beauty like they used to be. With grace and delicacy, the buildings definitely bring Hanoi a private appeal.
Let explore a part of France in the Orient on a trip around Hanoi.
Let explore a part of France in the Orient on a trip around Hanoi.
The trip starts from Hanoi Medical University on Le Thanh Tong street. Founded in 1902 under the name Indochina Medico-Pharmaceutical University, it was designed by Ernest Hebrard, a French architect, and built within 4 years (1923 – 1926). It is Indochinese in style, which has combination of Asian and European architecture.
Not hard to recognize systems of multiple-layered, octagonal-shaped tiles imbued with Oriental style. Among layers of tiles are painted window panels, which prop the roof, ornamented with straight-lined patterns, and Occidental in style. The interior has corridors, arch ceilings, hall and heavily French-styled staircase.
The construction wasn’t often renovated, so it is quite intact, though nearly 100 years passed. Reaching here, you will feel serenity of an ancient university, and exquisiteness of a typical blend of Eastern and Western architecture.
Not hard to recognize systems of multiple-layered, octagonal-shaped tiles imbued with Oriental style. Among layers of tiles are painted window panels, which prop the roof, ornamented with straight-lined patterns, and Occidental in style. The interior has corridors, arch ceilings, hall and heavily French-styled staircase.
The construction wasn’t often renovated, so it is quite intact, though nearly 100 years passed. Reaching here, you will feel serenity of an ancient university, and exquisiteness of a typical blend of Eastern and Western architecture.
Nearby, Hanoi Opera House is a symbol of French architecture in Hanoi. The construction was erected by the French in 1901 and accomplished in 1911. It is a replica of Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris, but smaller, and was built of materials relevant to the native climate condition.
The two architectural works of Harlay and Broyer architects bear a lot of colors and architectural lines of theatres in southern France, with space organization, performance space, staircases and entrance hall resembling to European theatres in the early 20th century. Hanoi Opera House was imbued with the appearance of French neoclassicism, especially at its structure, the double-plate roof covered with black stone tiles and decorative motifs inside.
The two architectural works of Harlay and Broyer architects bear a lot of colors and architectural lines of theatres in southern France, with space organization, performance space, staircases and entrance hall resembling to European theatres in the early 20th century. Hanoi Opera House was imbued with the appearance of French neoclassicism, especially at its structure, the double-plate roof covered with black stone tiles and decorative motifs inside.
The construction along with August Revolution Square have witnessed so many historical changes of Hanoi. The square is where the first session of National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam took place, and also where many important art and culture performances of the whole country have been organized.
Vietnam National Museum of History located in Tong Dan street, is a large structure of French Colonial Architecture in Hanoi. Designed by C.Batteur and E.Hébrard architects, it has a mixed style of Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai and Chinese architectures but harmoniously combined to form a pure Asian style. Previously, it was known as Louis Finot museum, an archaeological research institution of École française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO), a French institute dedicated to the study of Asian societies, translated into English as “the French School of the Far East”.
The construction was started in 1926 and completed in 1932, based on the ground behind Hanoi Opera House, along the dyke of Red River, and at the end of Quaï Guillemoto street (Tran Quang Khai street as today), a position that it was possible to create an architectural highlight for the dyke street. The building is regarded as an excellent example of Indochinese architecture. The style was exertion of combining French and indigenously Oriental architectural values.
The construction was started in 1926 and completed in 1932, based on the ground behind Hanoi Opera House, along the dyke of Red River, and at the end of Quaï Guillemoto street (Tran Quang Khai street as today), a position that it was possible to create an architectural highlight for the dyke street. The building is regarded as an excellent example of Indochinese architecture. The style was exertion of combining French and indigenously Oriental architectural values.
Going along Tran Quang Khai street up to Red River, you will see Long Bien bridge, a symbol of Hanoi. It was constructed by the French from 1898 to 1902, and once the largest bridge in Asia. Firstly this construction was named after Paul Doumer, the Governor-General of French Indochina at that time, and called Doumer bridge.
With the length of 2,290m, it comprises 896m approach roadway, built of stone, and 19 steel girder spans placed on 20 columns above 40m in height (inclusive of the foundation). The single-track railway was set in the middle of the bridge deck. The two sides are road for vehicles and walkway.
Long Bien bridge was heavily bombarded during Vietnam War due to its critical position (the only bridge at that time across Red River connecting Hanoi to the main port of Haiphong). In the first attack destroying North Vietnam by American army taking place between 1965 and 1968, it was bombed 10 times that damaged 7 spans and 4 main columns. And in the second bomb attack in 1972, it was hit on 4 occasions that wrecked 1,500m bridge and cut off the part between the two main columns.
Existing more than 100 years, Long Bien bridge has increasingly degraded and become the witness to all historical events of Hanoi for over a century. It is a great spot to contemplate Red River and the river’s middle-ground, and also the relic that travelers should not miss when traveling to Hanoi.
With the length of 2,290m, it comprises 896m approach roadway, built of stone, and 19 steel girder spans placed on 20 columns above 40m in height (inclusive of the foundation). The single-track railway was set in the middle of the bridge deck. The two sides are road for vehicles and walkway.
Long Bien bridge was heavily bombarded during Vietnam War due to its critical position (the only bridge at that time across Red River connecting Hanoi to the main port of Haiphong). In the first attack destroying North Vietnam by American army taking place between 1965 and 1968, it was bombed 10 times that damaged 7 spans and 4 main columns. And in the second bomb attack in 1972, it was hit on 4 occasions that wrecked 1,500m bridge and cut off the part between the two main columns.
Existing more than 100 years, Long Bien bridge has increasingly degraded and become the witness to all historical events of Hanoi for over a century. It is a great spot to contemplate Red River and the river’s middle-ground, and also the relic that travelers should not miss when traveling to Hanoi.
From Long Bien bridge, let head to Hang Dau water tower, the construction supplying running water erected since French colonial time and settled on the junction of six streets: Hang Dau, Hang Than, Quan Thanh, Hang Luoc, Hang Giay and Phan Dinh Phung. After demolishing Hanoi citadel, the French used stone of this construction to build the water tower in 1894. Many people thought wrongly that it was a bunker so the call “Hang Dau bunker” became familiar from then on.
Nearby is Phan Dinh Phung street, one of the most beautiful roads in the metropolis. Established since French colonial period, the road now is shaded by old trees and rows of ancient villas, which have a variety of architectural styles, but still bear grace and harmonize with the surrounding space. Contemplating the street is a way to realize this peaceful, ancient and beloved capital.
Crossing Phan Dinh Phung Road, you will see Presidential Palace and Chu Van An High School, two of the most beautiful structures that the French constructed in Indochina.
Former French Governor-General of Indochina House, or today Presidential Palace was designed by Charles Lichtenfelder architect, and built during 1901 - 1906 with monumental scale and huge cost as manifestation of majesty and power. It is one of the largest mansions that the French constructed in Indochina, completely European in style. In 1945, it was renamed into Presidential Palace and this name have been kept until now.
Former French Governor-General of Indochina House, or today Presidential Palace was designed by Charles Lichtenfelder architect, and built during 1901 - 1906 with monumental scale and huge cost as manifestation of majesty and power. It is one of the largest mansions that the French constructed in Indochina, completely European in style. In 1945, it was renamed into Presidential Palace and this name have been kept until now.
Chu Van An High School was founded by the French under the official name Lycee du Protectorat in 1908, with the purpose was to train native civil servants to serve their ruling apparatus in North Vietnam. However, the school is often known as Buoi School (Pomelo School) as it was located in Ke Buoi area, originally used by students to show their patriotism. In 1945, it was renamed as Chu Van An nation-established school under the government period of Tran Trong Kim. This name continues to be kept until now.
Interior of the school has retained French architectural patterns at chains of classrooms. Nha Bat Giac (Octagonal House) is very well-known, repaired to serve as the library of the school. This beautiful and oldest building was formerly named as La villa Schneider (the villa of Schneider) after the name of its owner, Mr. Henri Schneider, a French paper mill boss. Subsequently, the building was used as residence of French principals working here. From Nha Bat Giac, it’s possible to see West Lake beside lines of several-hundred-year-old trees.
Another must-see spot in the trip discovering “France inside Hanoi” is St. Joseph's Cathedral, sited at 40 Nha Chung street. Built in 1886, it is a Gothic Revival (Neo-Gothic) styled church, used as an assembling and meeting place of Roman Catholic community in Hanoi.
The cathedral features an original appearance, built with stone slabs and in bricks. The façade consists of two towers, square in shape, rising to a height of 31.5m, and each tower fitted with 5 bells. The windows was fitted with tall stained glass produced in France and transported to Vietnam.
American president George Bush ever attended in the church on Sunday for worshipping on his visit to Vietnam in 2006. It’s actually a famous destination in Hanoi.
The cathedral features an original appearance, built with stone slabs and in bricks. The façade consists of two towers, square in shape, rising to a height of 31.5m, and each tower fitted with 5 bells. The windows was fitted with tall stained glass produced in France and transported to Vietnam.
American president George Bush ever attended in the church on Sunday for worshipping on his visit to Vietnam in 2006. It’s actually a famous destination in Hanoi.
Finally, the trip can finish at Dien Hong park (aka Toad park), formerly known as Square Chavassieux during French colonial time. In 1901, the French constructed a fountain in the center of the park. It features a large, square stone pillar roughly 3.5m high in the middle, surrounded by brass toads spouting water to the pillar. Therefore, the residents in Hanoi call it as Toad Park. Today, it’s often chosen by love couples to shoot wedding photos.
Around the park is large collection of numerous fabulous, old French-styled constructions, e.g. Government Guest House (formerly the Residence of the French Governor of Tonkin), the State Bank of Vietnam (previously Indochinese Bank) and Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel.
Sitting at the park is a way to view a whole street corner imbued in French architecture, contemplate tranquility, and feel timeline seems to deposit on every architectural line.
Sitting at the park is a way to view a whole street corner imbued in French architecture, contemplate tranquility, and feel timeline seems to deposit on every architectural line.
If you have boundless time, let visit more constructions like the headquarter of Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tran Phu street, Saint Paul hospital, National Library, Dong Xuan market, etc, which are all marvelous constructions typical of French architecture in Vietnam.
Someone said that Hanoi was so forrtunate, as it has inside graceful, charming lines of French architecture. These constructions are obviously integral parts of modern Hanoi.
Someone said that Hanoi was so forrtunate, as it has inside graceful, charming lines of French architecture. These constructions are obviously integral parts of modern Hanoi.