The design of the main facade of the School of Medicine drawn up in 1907. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Anexhibition of archival materials capturing the influence of French culture onthe capital city is now open at No 18 Vu Pham Ham Street, Hanoi.
Jointly organised by the StateRecords Management and Archives Department of Vietnam and the French Archives, the exhibition marks the 100th foundinganniversary of the National Library of Vietnam, formerly an archive forIndochina during the French colonial period, and the 45th anniversary of theestablishment of diplomatic tie between Vietnam and France.
It introduces 150 documents,photos and artifacts that showcase French colonial influence on Hanoi’sarchitecture, education and culture. It is divided into three sections, titledFrom an Asian City to a European-styled Capital, the Adoption of WesternEducation and Mission toPreserve Memories of Archives.
Images of renowned Frenchconstructions, such as the Hanoi Opera House, the Government Guesthouse,Presidential Palace, Hanoi Railway Station and Long Bien Bridge,are also on display. Decades after the colonial period, the structures are theproud heritage of the capital city.
According to Deputy Minister ofHome Affairs Trieu Van Cuong, the State RecordsManagement and Archives Department of Vietnam and the French Archives havejointly implemented many meaningful activities to promote the precious archivescapturing the French colonial era in Vietnam.
The deputy minister also stressedthat the exhibition is one activity within the ever-developing relationshipbetween two countries’ archives departments. It is expected to be a chance forthe public, particularly the youth and researchers, to discover interestingcultural and historical features of both Vietnam and France. Archivists hope itwill spur enthusiasm for more research projects to further explore the twocountries’ archival collections.
The exhibit will end on March 7,2018.-VNA
VNA
