Colonial Architecture in Vietnam

Despite the presence of the vernacular, traditional Chinese, ethnic, and todays modern architecture of Vietnam, the structural designs of its buildings are still noticeable to possess the colonial architecture that will never die in no matter of time.

The colonization of the powerful Europeans to this Chinese-occupied country has left a lasting impact on its culture. The French colonial government redesigned cities in Vietnam in accordance to the European specifications. Thus, Vietnam is mirrored by its French colonial architecture. The French architecture, as known to have some of the finest architectural creations in the world, is characterized originally by the use of arches, vaults and domes. It is distinguished by thick walls, massive piers, and walls usually made of wood, stones or bricks. The presence of curves, oriental designs, paintings and natural patterns to furnitures also depicts French architecture.

The colonists way back the centuries, have first renovated the cities of Ha Noi and Saigon. Such were given wide and spacious roads like those of the Europeans. During the approach of the 1920s, a number of buildings in Ha Noi were constructed like the St. Josephs Cathedral in 1891; the Palace and the Office of the French Resident, the High Court, and the Governor Generals Palace in 1906; the Opera House in 1911; and the Directorate des archives et bibliothques in 1917 or known today as the National Library of Vietnam, all of which are created in Parisian neo-classical style. In Sagion, those that were constructed with the same style are the Town Hall or the Peoples Committee Building in 1873; the Notre Dame Cathedral in 1880; the High Court in 1885; the Vice-Governors Palace in 1890; the Central Post Office in 1891; and the Opera House in 1900.

The new hybrid architecture or oriental style has arrived by the 1920s. It has relatively influenced few structures in Vietnam such as the Vietnam History Museum, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Dumail's Banque Nationale du Vietnam. The style is characterized with various indigenous designs.

The Art deco style had come into fashion during the late 1920s. This architecture was enjoyed by offices, homeowners, villas and interior furnishings. It can be transparently seen through the Banque de l'Indochine, a structure designed by the famed Georges Andr Trouv.

A must see creation inspired by French architecture is the Gieng Islet of Vietnam. Built in 1975, this cathedral is a preserved European establishment wherein adornments like the pillars, vaults and the polygonal towers are present.

The influence of the French colonial architecture cannot only be seen in Ha Noi or Saigon alone; else its spread can also be proved in many other cities of Vietnam including the Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang, and Nha Trang.