Hanoi Attractions: #8 Hanoi Opera House

inseasia (61)in #travel • 7 years ago

Of all the attractions in Hanoi the Hanoi Opera House is quite possibly the one of which the locals are most proud. The magnificent example of colonial architecture was erected by the French over a ten year period between 1901 and 1911. The design was modelled on the Palais Garner, the elder of the two Parisian Opera Houses. If you get chance to take in a show, you should do. The My Village show that is currently showing is superb.

The Superb Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi is a very Asian capital city, much more so than its southern counterpart, Ho Chi Minh City. Life is quieter here and the whole city closes rather early at night. By day though it remains a fascinating place. The buildings here display a tremendous variety. There are the old shop houses in the famous Old Quarter, and modern glass towers. Ancient temples rub shoulders with modern shops and restaurants. In amidst all this variety the Hanoi Opera House stands out like a beacon of incredible architecture.

Two of the best hotels in Hanoi, The Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel and the Hotel D’Opera Hanoi are neighbours. They, of course both, took their names from the Opera House. During the French colonial resign, the Opera House provided mainly French and Italian performances. In fact Blanche Arral, the Belgian coloratura soprano played here and mentioned it fondly in her memoirs. It really is an astonishingly beauty structure.
After the French left the Hanoi Opera House presented Vietnamese plays and musicals. Today however it presents performances by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, and calls on the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra of the Hanoi Conservatory. The National Ballet here, is part of the Hanoi Opera House Company. It presents both Vietnamese dance productions as well as world famous classics like Swan Lake.

No holiday in Hanoi could be complete with paying a visit to one of the favourite attractions. Ask any taxi driver they will be only too proud to take you.

Other Hanoi Attractions can be found here:

#1 Cua Bac Church Here: https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/hanoi-attractions

#2 Hoan Kiem Lake. https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/hanoi-attractions-2-hoan-kiem-lake

#3 Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/hanoi-attractions-3-ho-chi-minh-mausoleum

#4 The Vietnamese Museum of Ethnology https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/hanoi-attractions-the-vietnam-museum-of-ethnology

#5 Truc Bach Lake https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/hanoi-attractions-5-truc-bach-lake

#6 Quan Thanh Temple https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/hanoi-attractions-6-quan-thanh-temple

#7 Vietnam Museum of Revolution https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/hanoi-attractions-7-vietnam-museum-of-revolution