Hà Nội Opera House
Jan 19th, 2009 by Steven
The Hanoi Opera House (Nhà Hát Lớn Hà Nội) is one of the city’s famous landmarks; sort of a legacy from the French colonial government. Work on the building started in 1901 and was completed in 1911. With a 900 sitting capacity, the facade is colonial French with pillars and balconies. In fact, it is a smaller replica of the 2,200-seat Palais Garnier in Paris.
Apart from Vietnamese symphonies which perform regularly, the opera house also plays host to visiting foreign performances. Tickets for the best seats are priced at less than USD10 each.
The Hanoi Opera House is of historical importance - in August 1945 the Viet Minh communists announced from the building’s main balcony that they had assumed control over the city.