Vietnam - France concert marks 110th anniversary of Hanoi Opera House

The Hanoi Opera House and the French Institute in Hanoi organised a Vietnam - France concert in the evening of December 11 to mark the 110th anniversary of the Opera House. The event, themed “The Legend of Opera”, featured performances by 110 artists from both countries such as My Linh, David Kenjah, Vu Thang Loi, and Dao To Loan, along with the symphony orchestra of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet Theatre. It was conducted by Dong Quang Vinh and directed by Chu Anh Hung, who is also Deputy Director of the Hanoi Opera House. It also saw the presence of Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong and the French Ambassador to Vietnam. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The Hanoi Opera House was where the first National Assembly of the independent Vietnam convened the first session and adopted the 1946 Constitution - the first constitution of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. On November 24, 1946, then President Ho Chi Minh attended the first National Culture Conference here. At that event, he affirmed that culture must light up the path for the people to go. The Hanoi Opera House was modeled after the famous Palais Opera Garnier in Paris. Its construction was completed in 1911 on August Revolution Square. It is a hard-to-be-missed place when learning about Hanoi culture, especially as its facade is meticulously painted in yellow and white neo-classical colours. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The concert is also intended to boost cultural exchange between Vietnam and France and bring into play the value of their architectural heritage. Still in regular use, the Hanoi Opera House plays host to a variety of theatre arts, symphony, ballet, musical, and chorus performances all year round. Located in downtown Hanoi, the Opera House was built by the French colonial administration between 1901 and 1911. It is one of three opera houses that the French constructed during their time in Indochina, the others are the Hai Phong Opera House in northern Hai Phong city and the Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh city. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

French singer David Kenjah said it was his honour to perform at the Hanoi Opera House - the ‘sanctuary of arts’. The concert featured some of the best French songs of all times that the Vietnamese audience also know. He said this concert was a demonstration of the colourful music of France. The Hanoi Opera House was modeled on the Palais Garnier, the older of Paris’s two opera houses, and is considered to be one of the architectural landmarks of Hanoi. The main architectural style of the Opera House is Neoclassicism. The building was modeled on the Palais Garnier but with a smaller scale and using materials that are suitable with the local environment. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

David Kenjah and Vietnamese diva My Linh sing as a duo at the concert. The Hanoi Opera House provides the names for the neighboring Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel, which opened in 1999, as well as for the MGallery Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi, which opened in 2011. The beautiful house was built in 1911. It is a phenomenal piece of neo-classical French architecture featuring Gothic themes on the doors and domes with pillars, shuttered windows, balconies and a glass room. Musicians, actors, and dancers play to a 600-strong audience delivering powerful operatic and classical performances, making this place a very popular theatrical attraction. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

A performance by David Kenjah and My Linh. Following the August Revolution in 1945 that led to the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Hanoi Opera House reverted from entertaining the French elite to becoming the centre of major historical events, including the first session of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The building went into a state of decline prior to being renovated and brought up to date in 1997 which included the installation of state-of-the-art equipment and the renewal of some of the interior decorations. These improvements returned the opera house to its former glory which now sees international artists take to the stage in addition to local talents. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

David Kenjah and Vietnamese singer Hong Ngoc perform a song that Kenjah composed during his stay in the country. The song talks about the lovers far away from each other due to the pandemic. Hanoi is home to a number of yellow-painted buildings which are of typical French architecture. Among them, the Hanoi Opera House, located near the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake, is one of the most appealing ones. It considered as a historical and architectural landmark as well as a tourist attraction in the capital city where a range of important events have taken place. It is believed that this Opera House witnessed Vietnam’s very first exposure to Western art, specifically music and staging. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Beginning as a cultural centre for the French and Vietnamese elite during the French colonial rule, the Hanoi Opera House served as a venue for performing plays. Later on, more and more important political events have been organised here. Nowadays, people come to the Opera House to enjoy various forms of music, from classical music, opera to Vietnamese traditional plays and folk music. It has become a dream stage for any artist in Vietnam because being able to perform here counts as a recognition of their talent and contribution to national art. It is undeniable that Hanoi Opera House played a vital role as a historical witness to the development of Hanoi since the French colonial time and will continue upholding its values in the future. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

David Kenjah said he was happy to represent his country in Vietnam, adding that during his childhood, he was inspired by the French feature in music and he hoped that the Vietnamese audience would be touched by the emotional approach of the concert. The event was held in celebration of the 110th anniversary of the Hanoi Opera House. Inspired by classical Greek Architecture and Paris’s Opera House, the Hanoi Opera House deserves to be listed in the most representative, well-designed and artistic buildings in Asia. It perfectly depicts an exceptional piece of neo-classical French architecture featuring Gothic themes with tall pillars, shuttered windows, classic roof and balconies. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

David Kenjah has lived in Vietnam for four years. The Hanoi Opera House covers an area of 2600 square meters and 34 meters high on average. It faces Trang Tien street, one of the busiest streets in Hanoi during the French colonial rule. Although it is an eclectic architecture mixed with many styles, the Hanoi Opera House still bears the French neoclassical characteristics, especially in architectural structure, with two-roofed roof tile style and slat with decorative motifs inside. Born later than theatres in Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong city, the building has the most complete architecture and become a familiar and typical image of Hanoi capital. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

A saxophonist performs at the concert. The Hanoi Opera House is a spectacular French architectural building standing at the centre of the capital city. This extraordinary landmark has witnessed many significant historical events in the country for over a century and become a pride of Hanoians. Tourists can also join the Hanoi Opera House tour and explore every corner of this place, listen to a detailed explanation of its history and architecture, and enjoy excellent performances. There is also a virtual tour of this site on its official website. With a unique way of expression, this will be an exciting experience whether visitors have been to the Opera House or not. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Conductor Dong Quang Vinh at the concert. Apart from celebrating the 110th anniversary of the Hanoi Opera House, the event is also meant to honour the Vietnam - France friendship. The two countries set up their diplomatic ties on April 12, 1973 and elevated their relations to a strategic partnership in 2013. Welcoming Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang who came to present his letter of credentials on November 2, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke highly of achievements in bilateral cooperation in all fields, from politics, diplomacy, trade, and investment to education, training, culture, and science - technology, especially since the two countries set up their strategic partnership. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

A violinist performs at the concert. Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh paid an official visit to France from November 3 to 5. During the trip, he held talks with his French counterpart Jean Castex, and had meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, President of the Senate Gerald Larcher, President of the National Assembly Richard Ferrand, and Fabien Roussel, National Secretary of the French Communist Party. Both sides affirmed their determination to deepen the countries’ strategic partnership. They reaffirmed their wish to bolster cooperation amid common challenges like climate change, and showed their resolve to deepen collaboration in culture, especially the teaching of the French language, and in law and justice. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Tora, a young Vietnamese drummer, said she was happy to join talented and famous artists of Vietnam and France in performances at the concert. During Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to France in early November, the two sides affirmed solidarity in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of promoting fair, equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and drugs. They underlined that science - technology and tertiary education are among the priority areas in bilateral cooperation. The two countries’ leaders agreed to continue promoting people-to-people exchange and increase collaboration between localities of Vietnam and France. The French side pledged to accompany Vietnam in sustainable development, especially in major infrastructure projects.  (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Singer Dao To Loan performs at the concert, held at the Hanoi Opera House, a famous relic site with the French neoclassical characteristics. At a working session with Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong in Paris on November 4, French Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin said her country is ready to cooperate with Vietnam in restoring and preserving cultural relics related to architectural works built by France through such activities as sharing information and training human resources for the task. France is ready to cooperate with the Southeast Asian nation in the cultural industry through specific projects, and it always considers culture a priority area in bilateral cooperation. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Singer My Linh performs at the concert. At the meeting with French Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin in Paris on November 4, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong talked about conservation works in the country, including a project on restoring villas built in the French colonial period in Hanoi such as the Opera House and the Presidential Palace. He suggested the two sides organise the Vietnam - France Exchange Year, on the basis of a similar activity held in 2013 - 2014, on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam - France strategic partnership in 2023. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

An accordionist performs at the classical concert. In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency ahead of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to France from November 3 to 5, Stephanie Do, President of the France - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group, said French President Emmanuel Macron attaches importance to maintaining and promoting the two countries’ relations. Do noted the all-round relationship, especially between their two legislative bodies, has developed strongly and stayed unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both sides have benefited from the long-lasting partnership, and Vietnam has shown its generosity when presenting antibacterial masks and other medical equipment to France amid the pandemic. (Photo: VietnamPlus)