Architecture is both modern and ancient
Hanoi has a different character from other modern cities in the world . The beauty of Hanoi, both modern and ancient, is present through works of ancient historical and cultural architecture such as: One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature - Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Opera House, Long Bien Bridge...
In the heart of Hanoi , there is still a romantic and ancient old quarter with the old quarters still intact with the characteristics of "old streets, old houses, dark brown tiled roofs" that have gone through many decades. Although in the space of the remaining tiled-roof houses in Hanoi today, the old houses are almost no longer intact, even divided into five or seven by many small households living together or being expanded and repaired to serve the needs of living and business, the dark brown tiled roofs over time still exist as a characteristic, a symbol of the architecture that was once typical for the living space of Hanoi people.
The ancient French architectural works give Hanoi a solemn yet magnificent, romantic, ancient, luxurious and elegant beauty, contributing to the uniqueness of the capital. The beauty of the buildings bearing the French architectural mark in the heart of Hanoi has impressed and delighted many visitors. Time may have slightly faded the delicate decorative patterns on each door frame or on the ancient roofs, but it cannot erase the unique, magnificent European features in the middle of a city of "a thousand years of civilization". These include: the Presidential Palace, Cua Bac Church, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building, Hang Dau Post Office, Hanoi Opera House, Hoa Lo Prison, the Great Church, Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel, Government Guest House, Chu Van An High School, and the Central Party Office.
The typical French architectural works of Hanoi in the past are still preserved quite intact to this day. This makes many tourists when visiting Hanoi, suddenly encounter familiar street corners like in the splendid capital of Paris, France.
Hang Duong Street. (Photo courtesy) |
In addition, Hanoi also owns architectural works such as ancient villas, old houses, French quarters, etc. Statistics from the Hanoi Department of Construction show that in the capital there are more than 1,260 old villas, mainly built before 1954, under the French colonial period; especially villas built in the Indochinese style designed by Vietnamese architects, demonstrating the creativity of the Vietnamese people. This is an important group of works that creates a massive and valuable architectural heritage fund in Hanoi.
In the global trend, exploiting the internal strength of culture and heritage will bring great competitive advantages. In the past, culture was considered a “money-spending” activity for propaganda and promotion, but today, with the development of the cultural industry, culture brings revenue and national strength.
In addition to exploiting cultural heritages, over the years, valuable architectural works have also been preserved and exploited, some of which have become prominent destinations. Typical examples include the restoration and development of the railway bridge arch area on Phung Hung Street into a cultural space; the restoration of house number 22 Hang Buom Street, formerly the Guangdong Assembly Hall, into a Cultural and Artistic Center. The French-style villa at number 49 Tran Hung Dao Street has become a new creative space for the capital, hosting many exhibitions, displays and art performances, attracting many people and tourists.
Sending love to Hanoi through creative design festivals
A series of famous architectural heritages: Hanoi Children's Palace, National Museum of History (the former Museum of the French School of the Far East), Opera House, Hanoi National University (Indochina University under French colonial rule), Bac Bo Palace... are honored through many creative activities in the experience route of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2024. The beauty of French architecture, the beauty of architecture in the "Asian rain, European wind" era, when Western architecture blends with Eastern architecture. And there are hidden historical stories that perhaps the younger generation does not know, such as the bullet holes still imprinted on the iron fence of the Governor's Palace of Bac Ky or Bac Bo Palace (now the Government Guest House) over nearly 80 years with many changes in economy, culture and society.
Hang Dau Water Tower creates surprise at Hanoi Creative Design Festival. (Photo: Organizing Committee) |
Architect Nguyen Hong Quang, Head of the Architecture Group of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2024, said that the “Creative Crossroads” will be piloted along 7 typical historical heritage works of Hanoi, gathering nearly 500 creative artists with more than 100 activities in 12 cultural industry fields. “Creative Crossroads” is not only a pilot of an experience route for the city in the future, but also a place to demonstrate the creative potential of the city,” said architect Nguyen Hong Quang.
At the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 with the theme "Creative Design - Awakening Industrial Heritage", it will help transform "sleeping" factories and warehouses into creative architectural complexes with high aesthetic and educational value. "To develop Hanoi's cultural industry, there must be a comprehensive strategy, built by the coordination of relevant departments and branches. For industrial heritages, such as Gia Lam Railway Factory, Hang Dau Water Tower, we should also think in the same way", emphasized architect Tran Ngoc Chinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association.
The Opera House has become a cultural heritage of the Capital. (Photo: Ivivu) |
The stimulation of creative ideas in Hanoi's architectural heritages brings great potential and opportunities for exploitation and development, from which the city can orientate in promoting the value of these heritages sustainably and effectively. Hanoi's creative design festivals have attracted millions of people and tourists to visit and enjoy.
It can be seen that design activities are vividly present in every corner of the thousand-year-old city, reflected in the "many historical layers" of urban architecture and the diverse and rich cultural heritage system, contributing to creating a harmonious connection in life between nature and people. From the long-standing, famous architectural works recognized by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage such as the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long or the diverse architectural works demonstrating the talent and creativity in design of many generations of designers with French architectural style, such as: Hanoi Opera House, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum... to typical contemporary architectural works, such as Nhat Tan Bridge with 5 illuminated towers symbolizing the 5 gates of Hanoi..., all have shown the diversity and attraction in the design art of Hanoi.
Participating in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network has a very positive impact on the development of the capital's cultural industries on the basis of exploiting and effectively promoting the "Creative City" brand to create cultural products and services that are attractive to domestic and foreign tourists.
The National Museum of History with its beautiful architecture. (Photo: BTLSQG) |
Ms. Van Anh - Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports said that the annual Hanoi Creative Design Festival is an activity to continue to position the brand "Hanoi - Creative City" in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, promote the cultural industry, strongly promote the development of the creative community, and convey love and pride for Hanoi today and aspirations for Hanoi tomorrow.
All will create resonance and creative inspiration among the people of the Capital, with an aspiration to contribute to building the Capital and the country into a new era - the era of national growth.
Bao Chau (synthesis)
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/kien-truc-ha-noi-trong-dong-chaycong-nghiep-van-hoa-post543806.html
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