Documents and photos featuring French architecture in colonial era in Hanoi will be on display in an exhibition that opens today at the Hanoi Opera House in the capital city.

A photo of the French-built Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi. It was once known as the Doumer Bridge (Photo courtesy of the National Archives Centre No 1)

The exhibition, French Architecture in the Heart of Hanoi, is part of the theatre’s historical and architectural tours and art shows. It is also among activities held to celebrate Hanoi’s Liberation Day which falls on October 10.

Jointly held by the National Archives Centre 1, Hanoi Opera House and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the event will showcase 70 official documents, photos and drafts of outstanding buildings with French architecture that are being preserved in the National Archives Centre 1.

These buildings were designed and constructed by French architects at the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, including  Hanoi Opera House, Louis Finot, Indochina University, Hanoi Post Office, Indochina Finance Office and Doumer Bridge (currently Long Bien Bridge).

The exhibited is expected to provide visitors with a more comprehensive view of Hanoi’s architecture during the French colonial era and facilitate access to archives that are particularly significant to research on the capital’s history and culture.

French Architecture in the Heart of Hanoi will run until October 27.

VNA