Hanoi Opera House, Opera house in Tràng Tiền, Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Hanoi Opera House is an opera house in the Tràng Tiền neighborhood in central Hanoi, Vietnam. The three-story structure displays columns, arched windows and a tiled roof with a central dome, while the stage and auditorium feature gilded balconies.
Planning began in the late 19th century when French architects designed a house modeled on Parisian examples. The opening took place in 1911 as a social center, but after independence the building was neglected for a time before extensive renovations in the 1990s.
The name refers to French opera and appears in the three entrances with their arches and ornate grilles. The limestone facade and columns recall opera houses in Paris, while chandeliers and balconies inside connect to European theater tradition.
Performances take place in the evening, and visitors should check the current program before attending. Guided tours of the building are only offered at certain times, so it is worth asking in advance.
The outer walls are decorated with small masks representing different emotions and recalling theater tradition. At night the facade is illuminated and casts shadows on the forecourt, which turns into a popular meeting place.
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