The penetration of French neoclassical style into contemporary Hanoi architecture

Ref.: 315
Key theme: 03 Visual integrity of historic urban landscapes
Date of reception: 05/12/2008

AUTHORS (*Main author)

TAN HUNG, Khuat * (Viet Nam) - Hanoi Architectural University

ABSTRACT

From the end of the XIX century to the 50s of the XX century, together with French colonial exploitation process there was a penetration of French neoclassical architecture into some cities of Vietnam, particularly Hanoi as one of the most important cities of the colonial government in Indochina peninsula. This penetration can be divided into two periods: the first period characterized by administrative buildings copied directly from the architecture in France that time, and the second ­ characterized by buildings and villas modified to fit into local climate and environmental conditions (That's the reason the architectural style of this period has been named Indochinese style). The "French neoclassical architecture" had played very important role in creating the form of Hanoi and has became an integral part of the city.
40 years after finishing its mission, the "French neoclassical architecture" with somewhat modifications has found way back to Hanoi.
The main objective of this research is to study the current penetration of "French architecture" into Hanoi, which could be named the third penetration. Its key questions are: What is the nature of so called "French architecture" in contemporary Vietnamese architecture? and Why is "French architecture" but not other styles prioritized in Hanoi?
The paper tries to find out the answers for the questions from the view of local people's culture, particularly character, consciousness, life-style and behavior. It also discusses the conditions for this architectural style to break out.

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