 | Hanoi Things To Do | Tips 81 - 90 of 822 |  |
 | |  |  | Opera House: I would have liked to go inside! | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
This building is a « must see » in Hanoi, and you will not be disappointed by this classical-baroque-art nouveau building and even feel a bit of French atmosphere, as it was built in 1911 by architects Broger and Harloy as a small copy of the Opéra Garnier (the Paris Opera house) in the centre of the French quarter of Hanoi. From far it looks like, but the decoration of the copy, built with white and yellow painted stones is way not as “rich” as the original.
It has been restored with the help of the French government in 1997; it is indeed a nice view from the streets, day or night, with wide open space around.
When there are no performances it is closed and even not possible to walk in the garden on the north western side; in the gardens of the south eastern side is a garden café you can enter only if you tell the watchman you want to have a drink or snack; from there it is possible to have a closer look at architectural details; the “art deco” glass awnings on the side entrances (picture3) are stylish! The coloured tile friezes (Picture4), or the campanile on the roof give this building some character. Best to enjoy this building might be to look from far first, then have a drink in the nearby café and take time to look at details.
I wish you have the luck to look inside if you pass by, I only could look through the glass doors of the main entrance and it looks quite “chic” inside (Main picture), with the red carpet, marble stairs, flowers. . . .
The French and Austrian embassies organised a performance of the Magic Flute with local artists in 2006; I would have liked to listen and to watch such a performance. I link you to the Queen of the Night, waiting for a new opportunity to have the live performance (click on 04). (I know, on hi fi it would be better!) Phone: 829 1249Directions: At the convergence of Le Than Tong, Phan Chu Trinh and Trang Tien streets. If you are interested in performances there is a phone number for enquiries. Tel: 829 1249
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| | | | Get your hair cut on the streets. | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
Why not after all? Thousands of people get their hair cut that way every day in this city! Sorry, ladies, it is not a tip for you; ladies here , like in other places go to the salon. Hair dressers (cutters seems more appropriate!) are found in many streets of Hanoi, in generally not too crowded places, as they need a bit place around their “workshop”, and hair cutting is a relaxing moment for the customer; so relatively quiet places , but it can be on big avenues, parks, near the lakes very often; in fact you cannot miss them and for 2 U.S, you can get a fresh cut; no guarantee it fits your expectations, once its cut, its done, if it is not what you like, it is too late. . . . . In almost all places in Asia or Africa I visited, I got my hair cut, and never had to complain, except about the length may be. . . . And here, getting the hair cut with the traffic noise as background music is an interesting experience. . . . as is interesting to sit nearby workshops repairing bikes or cars, mixed with food shops. . . Directions: You see hairdressers in many places; walk and you will see.
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on April 26, 2006
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