Hanoi Opera House is a project built by the French government in the early years of the 20th century. Its construction started in 1901 and completed in 1911.

Where we are sitting formerly was a wetland area belonging to two villages Thach Tan and Tay Luong – Phuc Lan – Tho Xuong District. In 1899, the city council held a meeting under the chairmanship of Richard – Hanoi’s envoy who proposed to build up the Theatre.

Two architects Harlay and Broyer are designers of the Project. The design was under much modification due to comments of many other architects.

The works started on June 7, 1901, under technical supervision of an urban inspector – architect Harlay – one of the two designers. The persons in charge of construction were two men Mr. Savelon and Mr. Travary.

The embankment was very strenuous. 300 workers were working every day, with 35,000 bamboo poles and concrete blocks of 90cm thick. The works needed to use more than 12000m3 of materials, nearly 600 tons of iron and steel, with construction area of 2600m2, 87m in length, 30m in width and the highest point of the building is 34m from the ground surface. The façade of the building is very superficial with many steps overlooking the large square (now known as the August Revolution Square). The long-running steps in front of the Theatre are arranged the place to pick up the cars of colonial officials.

Hanoi Opera House is a unique structure with its outstanding values in terms of history, culture, architecture and art. It is a unique component of the urban and capital architecture, contributing to our country face today in the field of culture, creating the necessary prerequisites for expansion of cultural exchange on the way of economic and social development today, especially in the struggle to revive the national culture.

Functions – tasks of Hanoi Opera House

The Management Board of Hanoi Opera House was established by Decision No. 765 of the Prime Minister on September 17, 1997.
Management Board of Hanoi Opera House has:

1. International Business name: Hanoi Opera House

2. The functions and duties:

+ Organizing art and cultural activities for political and social purposes of the Government.

+ Organizing art and cultural activities, conferences, seminars, press conferences under plans of the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism.

+ Organizing art and cultural activities of high quality in compliance with its functions and tasks.

+ Cooperating with the international and domestic relevant organizations for purposes of professional exchange and organizing art and cultural activities as assigned by the Ministry and in accordance with laws.

+ Organizing service activities in compliance with the functions and duties of Hanoi Opera House, and as prescribed by laws.

Regulations for the audience :

– Well dressing.

– Tickets not covering children, the program is not intended for children under 6 years old.

– Do not smoke; do not bring food and chewing gum into the Opera House

– Do not use the device to record audio/ video/ film without the consent of the management board.

– Switch phone to silent mode or vibration mode when the performances begin.

– 15 minutes after the show opening, the theater will close the doors.

– Keep silence while watching the performance.