Certificates of National Heritage were awarded to the Hanoi Opera House and August Revolution Square in downtown Hanoi during a ceremony held on December 9 to mark the centenary of the historic theatre.

The ceremony was held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and was attended by Politburo member Pham Quang Nghi, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Uong Chu Luu, and Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh. Participants also included representatives of diplomatic corps.

Addressing the event, Mr. Anh affirmed the Hanoi Opera House is an icon of the capital city and deserves to be honoured as an indispensable part of Vietnamese cultural heritage.

Construction of the Opera House began in 1901 and was completed 10 years later. Since then, the original architectural work has helped beautify the capital city and has seen many historic events of both Hanoi and greater Vietnam. It has also contributed considerably to the country’s international integration process by hosting many art programs and friendship meetings between Vietnamese people and their international friends.

On this occasion, the Publishing House of the Writers Association debuted a book on the theatre, which clarifies the position, role, and contributions of the theatre over the past 100 years. The book is comprised of 100 photos featuring the Hanoi Opera House. (Source: VOV)