Memories of Hanoi through architectural heritage from the subsidy period.

On the afternoon of October 11th, a seminar titled "Hanoi during the Subsidy Period: Memories Through Architectural Heritage" was held in Hanoi , featuring numerous speakers from the fields of architecture and culture.

According to experts, Hanoi is one of the few cities in the world that still preserves many architectural structures from the early period of socialist construction, also known as the subsidy period. These buildings are closely associated with the difficult but optimistic lives of Hanoi's residents.

Speakers share their insights at the seminar. Photo: Thu Huyen

Although they have faded with time, surprisingly, Hanoi still possesses a dense network of architectural works that reflect the aspirations for building a new model of society, in a highly diverse and rich way.

According to architect Vu Hiep, architectural works from the period 1954-1986 reflect a new era of the country, with modern, progressive principles that have historical, scientific, social, and economic value.

Mr. Hiep emphasized that while the architectural heritage of the feudal and French colonial periods is present in Hanoi's branding strategy, the architecture of the 1954-1986 period has not been exploited.

Currently, we still lack a strategy for preserving and promoting the heritage of the socialist construction period in Hanoi. As a result, even for those living in Hanoi, the heritage of the socialist period remains a "grey area".

Sharing the same view, Dr. Architect Tran Thanh Binh also believes that practicality, sustainability, economy, and aesthetics were the guiding principles for constructing buildings during the subsidy period, even though they were created during a difficult time, under embargo and blockade.

As someone who witnessed all the transformations of Vietnamese society during the subsidy period, former Director of the Museum of Ethnology, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Huy, recounts stories about the dreams and aspirations of architects when designing and constructing buildings and structures at that time.

Referring to the story of private spaces and architect Truong Tung's "kitchen, toilet, and bathroom revolution," Mr. Huy emphasized that, despite unfavorable conditions, Vietnamese architects remain persistent in pursuing their aspiration to build the best possible structures and bring value to society.

It is understood that the issue of preserving architectural heritage from the subsidy period will continue to be discussed at a seminar to be held on November 15th, within the framework of the 2024 Design Festival.

Thu Huyen

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ky-uc-ha-noi-qua-di-san-kien-truc-thoi-bao-cap-post316464.html