In the colonial years, the French constructed many buildings of varying styles and on a large scale in Vietnam, particularly in Hanoi. Formed and developed mainly between the end of the 19th century and 1954, French colonial architecture played an important role in creating an important and valuable heritage heritage in the capital of Vietnam.
The French Quarter of Hanoi is a representation of it.
What to see in the French Quarter of Hanoi
The scale of the French Quarter of Hanoi is approximately 800 hectares with three areas, mainly located in 2 districts: Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem. This District was designed along two fundamental axes: North-South and East-West.
With a large area, the French Quarter of Hanoi has many attractions.
1. Hoa Lo Prison
Located in the center of Hanoi, Hoa Lo Prison bears witness to a period of fierce struggle, when American revolutionaries and prisoners were held captive during the Vietnam War. This construction was built in 1896 by the French and named “Maison Centrale”. The prison includes four areas with 12,000 square meters. But now only 2434 square meters are spared for tourism purposes.
Hoa lo prison is nicknamed “hell on earth”. During its operation, Hoa Lo Prison became a place to imprison and torture a thousand Vietnamese revolutionaries, some of them were executed at the prison.
Inside Hoa Lo Prison, visitors will see various instruments of torture, including the guillotine which placed the prison in the top 10 most notorious prisons in the world. The image of the beatings, the barbaric acts of torture faithfully recreated in this place will make you feel a sense of horror.
- Address: 1 Hoa lo Street, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
- Opening hours: open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Entrance fee: 30,000 VND
2. National Museum of Vietnamese History
The National Museum of Vietnam History is the result of the combination between the Vietnam History Museum and the Vietnam Revolution Museum. Located in the center of Hanoi, about 500 meters east of Hoan Kiem Lake, the National Museum of Vietnam History is the most attractive place for domestic and foreign tourists.
This museum was painted yellow and surrounded by old trees, creating a historical atmosphere. Now it stores and preserves about 200,00 documents of Vietnamese cultural history. One section displays archaeological artifacts from its prehistory and dynastic periods, providing visitors with basic knowledge of Vietnam’s history. Don’t miss the three-faced Buddha or the beautiful collection of lacquer paintings. In addition, there is also an entire cellar dedicated to the exhibition of ceramics.
- Location: 01 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: Morning: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Afternoon: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
3. Hanoi Opera House
The Hanoi Opera House is one of many outstanding historical sites. There is a place where important historical events took place from the French colonial period to the present day. This building was built in 1901 by two French architects: Broyer and V.Harley and completed in 1911. They researched and consulted the ancient Greek architecture of Corinth, combined with the style of Tulory Castle and the Paris Opera to create a separate architectural block.
Hanoi Opera House is 34 meters high, the total area is 2600 square meters with 87 meters long and 30 meters wide. The organization of Hanoi Opera is divided into several parts. The first is the main hall, this is the first place to welcome guests to the theater. The second is a staircase which impressed visitors with T-shaped white marble. Continue inside, you will see the auditorium with three floors including 589 velvet seats and a large stage.
Additionally, the building also has a meeting room on the second floor. Behind the stage are 18 makeup rooms, 2 training rooms, a library and work rooms.
Nowadays, visitors can purchase tickets to enjoy a range of events taking place at the Hanoi Opera House, including local Vietnamese music, traditional folk music and many international concerts.
- Location: 01 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Entrance fee: 400,000 VND for an adult
4. Saint-Joseph Cathedral
Saint Joseph Cathedral is one of the seven famous churches in Hanoi. With ancient architecture, St. Joseph Cathedral is not only used for religious activities, but it is also an attraction that visitors should not overlook.
The church was built in the 18th century on the former site of Bao Thien Temple. Despite many difficulties during construction, the church was completed in time for Christmas in 1888. This building was designed in the style of European medieval Gothic architecture. Overall, Saint-Joseph Cathedral resembles Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris but it also has a particular point, the combination between Catholic culture and part of Buddhism.
Saint-Joseph Cathedral is made of brick, terracotta, 65 meters high, 28.5 meters wide and two bell towers 31.5 meters high. There are 4 stone pillars on the four corners of the church. At the top of the church is a stone cross. In the center of the garden in front of the church is the metal statue of Mother Maria. Around the cathedral are stained glass windows with pointed arches. The 2 meter high statue of St Joseph is placed in the center of the main courtyard. Additionally, there are long rows of brown wooden seats lined up for Catholics during ceremonies.
Some activities you can do in St. Joseph Cathedral: Visitors can participate in the Christmas ceremony, the ceremony of Catholics on weekends.
- Location: 40 Nha Chung Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: for outside visits: at all times
- To visit the interior: when the ceremony will take place
- Entrance fees: Free
5. Trang Tien Plaza
More than a century of existence, Trang Tien Plaza is one of the historical proofs, the symbolic image of the evocation of Hanoi. The French built it in 1901 under the name Maison Godarad and only served the French and wealthy Vietnamese.
In 1960, the building was renamed Bách hóa tổng hợp (department store), became the largest department store in the North during the subsidy period. It was renamed again in 2002, Trang Tien Plaza was the new name of this building and used until now. In 2013, Trang Tien Plaza was invested by IMEX Pan Pacific. It has become a luxury shopping center with more than 200 international brands of fashion, cosmetics, bags, shoes and accessories like Versace, Cartier, Rolex,… including brands such as Burberry, Chanel.
Come to Trang Tien Plaza, customers not only have a high-end shopping experience, but also meet the needs of those looking to purchase mid-tier fashion products and prestigious cosmetic brands. The staff is professional, always attentive to you, and ready to present the product to you if you wish.
- Location: 24 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What is the difference between the French Quarter of Hanoi and the Old Quarter?
Most visitors confuse the French Quarter with the Old Quarter of Hanoi. These are two different sections of Hanoi city, something easy to find:
Both are located around Hoan Kiem Lake but the area of old quarter is mainly concentrated in north and west by Hoan Kiem. Meanwhile, Hanoi’s French Quarter lies in south and east of Hoan Kiem Lake . Although there are two different areas, they are close to each other and easy to access by Hoan Kiem Lake.
The atmosphere of the old French Quarter is more spacious , surrounded by wider roads, so traffic is more convenient than in the old quarter of Hanoi
The buildings in the French Quarter have French architecture. It’s quieter than the old quarter of Hanoi. The Old Quarter of Hanoi has a more Vietnamese vibe, there are lots of old houses and traditional Vietnamese foods.
Hanoi is beautiful and alluring because of its architectural works. The alternation and mixture between ancient and French architecture has created the atmosphere of Hanoi both historic and modern, vivid with time shaping the thousand-year-old capital of civilization.
