Hanoi Opera House tour available on digital platform

(VNF) - A virtual tour of the Hanoi Opera House was launched in Hanoi on July 12, offering visitors a brand-new experience and an insight into different aspects of the renowned building.

The virtual tour enables visitors to have a close look at even the decorative figure on the dome of the Hanoi Opera House (source: ashui.com)

It provides the visitors with information on the construction of the house, its unique architecture, the development of modern Vietnamese theatres and music in the early 20th century, and life and works of famous dramatist Vu Dinh Long and the first director of the Hanoi Opera House, Claude Bourrin.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Director of the Hanoi Opera House Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet said the landmark is the most outstanding among architectural heritages of France in Vietnam as well as Indochina. It has become an important cultural space in the development of the country’s theatre industry, she noted.

Almost every corner of the spectacular theature, including the Mirror Room, is now visible for visitors from across the world (photo: P.Y)

The virtual tour is part of an effort to open the Opera House and bring it closer to the public, she added.

Ngo Tu Lap, Director of the International Francophone Institute – the tour’s developer, said this digital project reflects the integration of technology and culture. It uses latest technological solutions and features cultural studies by well-known experts and artists from Vietnam and overseas, he stated.

It will be used for the preservation and promotion of the building and as a teaching aid for students in architecture, music, theatre and arts.

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. The architecture of the theater was inspired by ancient Greek style in combination with style of Tuylory castle and Paris Opera House to create a separate architectural building.

Hanoi Opera House has a great value in terms of history, architecture and usage. It is historical evidence for social and cultural development of Hanoi and Vietnam under the French colonization; it is a relic of a period of architectural development in Vietnam in late 19th century - early 20th century. Theater has always been the center of important meetings, conferences and high artistic performances of international and domestic art groups./.

( VNF (compiled) )