Built in 1912, modeled after medieval French theatres, the Hai Phong Opera House is still preserved almost intact. It has long become a symbol and a unique tourist destination of the Port City.
In the early 20th century, Hai Phong’s population was about 16,000 people, including thousands of French soldiers and expatriates. Therefore, the French government advocated building a large-scale theatre in the inner city. The site chosen to build the “Western Theatre”, as people called it at that time, was the high and spacious market ground of the ancient village of An Bien.
In 1900, the French government ordered the An Bien market to be moved elsewhere, the opera house began construction in 1904 and was completed in 1912.
The project was modeled by French architects after the French theaters of the Middle Ages, emphasizing the visual effect, the harmony between reality and illusion, the contrast between darkness and light, between the proportions and rhythms of materials.
On both sides of the lobby are massive spiral staircases. The pillars and handrails of the stairs are made of cement, on top of each pillar is a large cast iron flower platform, on both sides are lion heads. Whenever there is an important event, people will put fresh flowers on these flower platforms.
The architectural art makes a strong impression with elaborate decoration combined with soft curves. The construction materials of the theater were transported from France, and Vietnamese workers constructed under the direction of French architects.
On both sides of the corridor are designed into curves embracing the main hall, convenient for the audience to move. Natural light through the windows blends with the lights to create a magical space. The entrance doors are stylized like the Greek Lyre bow.
The theater has a stage, 2 floors of audience seats, with a capacity of about 400 guests. Around the main hall are arranged Gothic-style arched doors. On the second floor of the hall, there are 2 rows of seats, divided into 8 compartments.
The theater’s vaulted ceiling creates resonance and adds height. The ceiling is painted with decorative flower baskets, with the names of famous European musicians and actors such as: Mozart, Beethoven, Molière, Corneille…
The drawings and patterns inside and outside the building have faded and partially damaged over time. By the early 2000s, Hai Phong city invited experts to restore according to the original model.
In addition to the large hall for organizing important events, on the 2nd floor as well as around the building, there are also nearly 10 large and small rooms designed and arranged for meetings, discussions, etc.
The entire foundation of the building was built by the French with natural green stone, about 1.5 m higher than the road level. The 3 sides surrounding the opera house, the steel fence and the large gates built by the French over 100 years ago are still preserved.
Source: collected by An
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