In 1899, the French ambassador of Hanoi proposed to build the house of the Opera under the direction of two architects Harlay and Broyer. The designers of the building were inspired by the Greek architectural style of ancient Corinth and the Paris Opera to create a distinct architectural block. Work began on June 7, 1901.
Being built on the site of an old swamp, the leveling of the site was very difficult. Every day 300 workers worked there. The project used more than 12,000 m3 of materials and nearly 600 tonnes of iron and steel. The project occupied an area of 2600m2. The facade of the building, with its many steps, overlooks the main square (called the August Revolution Square).
Inside the theater there used to be a large stage and a large 24 x 24 m courtroom, which contained 870 velvet leather seats .. Behind the theater is an administrative room with 18 rooms for the actors, 2 studios of songs, a library and meeting rooms. The facade on the second floor is a magnificent mirror room. The cost of building the theater amounted to 2,000,000 French francs.
The theater of the time was used as a place of interpolation of classical arts such as opera, chamber music and theater for the benefit of the French elite and some Vietnamese rich. Performances were held 4 times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
More recently, the Hanoi Opera House and the Theater Square were places where great historical events took place, notably during the August Revolution and the beginning of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, such as August 29, 1945. , while the North Vietnamese Liberation Army arrived at the Place de l’Opera.
The Hanoi Opera House, with its unique architecture, is landmark of Hanoi.*