An exhibition of archival materials capturing the influence of French culture on the capital city is now open at No 18 Vu Pham Ham Street, Hanoi.

The design of the main facade of the School of Medicine drawn up in 1907.

Jointly organised by the State Records Management and Archives Department of Vietnam and the French Archives, the exhibition marks the 100th founding anniversary of the National Library of Vietnam, formerly an archive for Indochina during the French colonial period, and the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic tie between Vietnam and France.

It introduces 150 documents, photos and artifacts that showcase French colonial influence on Hanoi’s architecture, education and culture. It is divided into three sections, titled From an Asian City to a European-styled Capital, the Adoption of Western Education and Mission to Preserve Memories of Archives.

Images of renowned French constructions, 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 the proud heritage of the capital city.

According to Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Trieu Van Cuong, the State Records Management and Archives Department of Vietnam and the French Archives have jointly implemented many meaningful activities to promote the precious archives capturing the French colonial era in Vietnam.

The deputy minister also stressed that the exhibition is one activity within the ever-developing relationship between two countries’ archives departments. It is expected to be a chance for the public, particularly the youth and researchers, to discover interesting cultural and historical features of both Vietnam and France. Archivists hope it will spur enthusiasm for more research projects to further explore the two countries’ archival collections.

The exhibit will end on March 7, 2018.-VNA