OLD CITY - EXHIBITION OF OLD HANOI IN THE MIDDLE OF NEW HANOI

OLD CITY – EXHIBITION OF OLD HANOI IN THE MIDDLE OF NEW HANOI

10/10/2023

In order to introduce to everyone the process of planning and building Hanoi in the late 19th – early 20th century, the exhibition “Old City, Old Town” brings valuable images and documents currently kept at National Archives Center I and units. A traditional Asian-style urban area has gradually changed and harmonized with new spaces and new Western-style architecture. New neighborhoods, new political and administrative centers were built, with straight roads, tree-lined avenues and typical architectural works still preserved today.

The exhibition introduces about 150 documents, including 2 themes:

Topic 1: City next to the City

Although most of Hanoi’s city walls and many works of the Nguyen feudal government here were destroyed and re-planned by the French in the previous period (1883 – 1897), this area is still a part, an important component of Hanoi. This place is not only the headquarters of the French army stationed in Hanoi (Capital of the Indochina Federation), but more importantly, Hanoi Citadel is still a symbolic value in terms of construction space and history. culture of the people of the Capital.

Topic 2: Hanoi Streets – East-West “Intersection”.

During this period, along with the colonial exploitation policy of the French, the appearance of Hanoi’s streets especially had many changes related to the planning and construction process. The old neighborhoods of Hanoians, Western neighborhoods and many works serving the colonial government as well as the Western lifestyle were built and formed in Hanoi. Besides, some old works of Hanoi have been retained and preserved by the French.

The topic content introduces the planning process of the French in Hanoi; the French’s new construction policy; Policy on building Western neighborhoods and re-planning old neighborhoods.

During that planning process, a number of important relics of the massive citadel were fortunately still retained such as Ky Dai (Hanoi Flagpole), Chinh Bac Mon, Hau Lau and palace gates…, currently possessed to Thang Long Imperial Citadel world cultural heritage site.

OLD CITY – EXHIBITION OF OLD HANOI IN THE MIDDLE OF NEW HANOI

Exhibition “Old City”

Mid-Autumn Festival 2023