The Hanoi Opera House, located at 1鈥疶r脿ng鈥疶i峄乶 Street in the Ho脿n Ki岷縨 District, is Hanoi鈥檚 flagship cultural venue and a stunning example of French Colonial architecture. Modeled on Paris鈥檚 Palais Garnier, it was constructed from 1901 to 1911 under architects Harlay, Broyer, and Lagisquet. Covering 2鈥600鈥痬虏 and rising 34鈥痬, with seating for nearly 600 guests, the building blends neoclassical, baroque, and art鈥憂ouveau styles :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
How to Reach Hanoi Opera House, Ha Noi
The Opera House is centrally located:
- Walking: A 5鈥10鈥痬inute stroll from Ho脿n Ki岷縨 Lake and the Old Quarter :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- Bus: Routes like 02,鈥35A,鈥43,鈥45,鈥49,鈥86CT stop right outside :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
- Taxi/Grab or motorbike taxi: Drop-off at August Revolution Square in front of the opera house :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- City tour bus: Double-decker routes include a stop here :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
Weather
Hanoi鈥檚 weather varies seasonally, impacting the best times to visit:
- Spring/Autumn (Mar鈥揂pr & Sep鈥揘ov): Mild (18鈥28鈥癈), clear skies鈥攊deal for sight-seeing.
- Summer (May鈥揂ug): Hot and humid (25鈥35鈥癈); early visits are recommended.
- Winter (Dec鈥揊eb): Cooler (10鈥20鈥癈), misty鈥攂ring a light jacket for evening shows.
Timing
The opera house offers guided walking tours and scheduled performances:
- Sightseeing tour: 70鈥痬in, VND鈥120鈥000 (~US鈥$4.7), Mon鈥揟hu, Sat鈥揝un at around 10:30鈥12:00, max 20 people :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
- Tour + performance: 90鈥痬in, VND鈥400鈥000 (~US鈥$15), on Mondays and Thursdays :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
- Standalone shows: Usually begin evenings; tickets range from VND鈥300鈥000鈥1鈥000鈥000 depending on genre and seating :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
Why Famous for Hanoi Opera House, Ha Noi?
The Opera House is renowned for:
- Being a smaller replica of Paris鈥檚 Palais Garnier, representing French colonial grandeur :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
- Hosting key historical events: the August Revolution of 1945 and Vietnam鈥檚 first National Assembly sessions in 1946 :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
- Its dual role as a national relic and a modern cultural hub for opera, ballet, symphony, traditional Vietnamese music, and pop shows :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
Entry and Visit Details about Hanoi Opera House, Ha Noi
- Tour ticket: VND鈥120鈥000 for the guided site tour, includes interior access :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
- Tour + show: VND鈥400鈥000 covers tour and performance :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
- Performance ticket: From VND鈥300鈥000 to 1鈥000鈥000+, depending on the event and seating tier :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
- Guided tours: Often include backstage access to dressing rooms, orchestra pits, and dressing areas :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
- Visitor rules: Dress smartly for performances, no food/drink or flash photography; phones on silent :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
History & Architecture
Built between 1901鈥撯1911 during the French colonial era, the Opera House sits on 35鈥000 bamboo piles and uses over 12鈥000鈥痬鲁 of stone and hardwood :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}. Designed in neoclassical style with Gothic and Baroque embellishments, its facade features Corinthian columns, shuttered windows, wrought-iron balconies, and ornate friezes :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
The interiors are equally luxurious: a 24脳24鈥痬 horseshoe auditorium, red velvet seats, T鈥憇haped marble staircases, crystal chandeliers, and a mirrored salon :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
Things to Do
- Join a guided tour: Explore public and backstage areas with expert commentary :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
- Attend a show: Luxe performances range from Western opera and ballet to Vietnamese cultural programs :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
- Photograph the architecture: Capture the richly detailed exterior and interiors, especially lit up at night :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
- People-watch in August Revolution Square: A lively civic square directly outside the opera :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.
- Explore nearby sites: Ho脿n Ki岷縨 Lake, Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel, St. Joseph鈥檚 Cathedral, and the National History Museum are all within walking distance :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
Facts about Hanoi Opera House, Ha Noi
- Construction cost was 鈧2鈥痬illion (about US$8.4鈥痬illion in 2011) :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}.
- Length 87鈥痬, width 30鈥痬, area 2鈥600鈥痬虏, height 34鈥痬; seats 598 or up to 870 depending on configuration :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.
- Declared a National Relic in 2011 on its 100th anniversary :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}.
- Hosts international masters鈥攍ike Yo鈥慪o Ma, Hilary Hahn鈥攁nd annual gala concerts such as the Toyota and Hennessy Concerts :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}.
- The balcony overlooking the square saw the first National Assembly meetings and pivotal announcements during the August Revolution :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}.
Tips for Visiting Hanoi Opera House, Ha Noi
- Book in advance: Guided tours and performance tickets (especially for popular shows like 鈥淢y Village鈥) often sell out鈥攂ook via hotels or Lune Production if online isn鈥檛 available :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}.
- Arrive early: Tours begin around 10:30 and doors for shows open 15鈥痬in before start :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}.
- Dress smartly: Light formal wear for tours; semiformal to formal for performances :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}.
- Stay quiet: Keep phones silent; do not use flash or bring food/drink inside :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}.
- Night photography: Capture the lit facade after dark, but avoid tripods in the square :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}.
- Combine attractions: Pair your visit with a walk around Ho脿n Ki岷縨 Lake, St. Joseph鈥檚 Cathedral, or a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}.
Conclusion
The Hanoi Opera House is not only a masterpiece of European-style architecture in Vietnam but also a vibrant hub of cultural heritage and performing arts. Whether you admire its grand facade, attend a dazzling show, or delve into its rich history, this iconic venue is a highlight of any visit to Hanoi. Its elegance, heritage value, and ongoing cultural vibrancy make it truly one of the city鈥檚 crown jewels.