Hanoi Cultural and Art Center - a cultural crossroads of Vietnamese, Chinese, and French influences nestled in the heart of the ancient quarter.

Hanoi, a millennium-old capital renowned for its 36 streets and districts, is a blend of historic urbanity and vibrant residential and commercial areas dating back to the Ly - Tran period. The distinctive charm of the old quarter lies in its craft villages and traditional Vietnamese architecture. The streets are named after the main products traded there, prefixed with the word 'Hang.' The 36 streets have been immortalized in poetry, music, and art, with the most enduring impression being the eponymous verse:

Cultural and Art Center

I. Introduction

Cultural and Art Center at 22 Hang Buom

Nestled along the banks of the Nhị and Tô Lịch rivers, the residents here are skilled in various water-related crafts. They engage in crafting and selling woven items such as mats, baskets, blinds, sails, and curtains. Hence, the street is named Hang Buom, which translates to Sail Street. 'Like the flowing rivers, the street continues, witnessing countless lives passing by, countless lives arriving. In the endless flow of time, every street is filled with memories, both joyous and sorrowful. Hang Buom Street is a prime example for a city beside the river. In the past, the street specialized in selling sail pieces and materials related to boats. Today, the brown sails are mere memories, like many changes, arrivals, and departures. House number 22 on Hang Buom Street is like a whirlpool, capturing all the ups and downs of the street's history. It holds the stories of life, street, stories from the past, today, the European rain and Asian breeze, stories of the market vendors, overseas Chinese, and the people of Hanoi today,' excerpt from the introduction to the exhibition space 'Memories of 22 Hang Buom'.

II. Exhibition Space

1. Exhibition Space

The Quang Dong Assembly Hall was once a place of communal activities and trade for the Chinese community from Quang Dong (China). Today, it hosts numerous meaningful cultural and artistic events and is a buzzing check-in spot for young people. As far as I know, the exhibition center is currently open to the public, featuring art exhibitions with names like 'Floating Dreams,' 'Hanoi's Street Art 2021,' 'Hanoi is...,' and 'Memories of 22 Hang Buom.'

Similar to other assembly halls, the Quang Dong Assembly Hall maintains the typical architectural style with four rows of houses forming the shape of the letter '口' (Mouth) combined with a central courtyard (sky well) in the middle of the open spaces to facilitate air circulation and light. You can also find this courtyard structure in the Tay Phuong Pagoda and large temples in Vietnam.

The exterior space of the Cultural and Art Center carries a distinctive Chinese vibe

The grand door opens into a space infused with artistic essence

Stepping into the exhibition space feels like stepping through the gates of time, revealing the enchanting flow of years.

A unique blend of Western, Vietnamese, and Chinese cultural crossroads

This is truly an ideal haven for artists to unleash creativity, satisfy passions, where inspirations from the mind have the opportunity to 'live authentically' on the display stage. Artists have carefully gathered and connected the fragments of history to create a sparkling beauty that seems serendipitous yet full of meaning, simple yet profound.

The artwork “Dream of Fairies” - offspring of contemporary Vietnamese artists

Resembling a dream of fairies, the free-spirited, romantic images of nymphs have inspired the generation of modern Vietnamese artists. With the desire to revive the historical flow, the “Dream of Fairies” section recreates a part of the visual evolution of the Vietnamese people, focusing on the image of fairy-like women throughout history from the Ly dynasty to the present.

The depiction of the nymph with gentle, captivating strokes using watercolors on silk material

The artwork “Bathing fairies - moonlight” brims with passion and vibrancy

The vibrant image of a Fairy riding a dragon stands out on the ancient wall

This is a remarkable image, appearing in most religious and traditional worship spaces such as communal houses, temples, pagodas, ancestral shrines, and tombs of the Vietnamese people throughout the 11th-12th-13th centuries, shining like a bright comet in the history of Vietnamese figurative art during the feudal period.

As if stepping into the mythical land of 'Fairy Paradise'

The bamboo pole and rural objects evoke a peaceful, simple childhood

The arrangement of lanterns in the 'Encounter of Past and Present' by artist Xuan Lam.

The lantern area is a buzzing hotspot for enthusiastic young visitors

The exhibition space showcasing artifacts related to the Quang Dong Assembly Hall

2. Architecture

Reversing the course of history, when the French set foot in North Vietnam (1872), they renamed our beautiful Hanoi as Rue des Voiles. At that time, Hang Buom street was a bustling hub for Overseas Chinese trading within the Quang Dong Assembly Hall. Disregarding the royal laws, many Overseas Chinese traders covertly engaged in business with French traders, becoming informants and aiding the invading forces against the capital. If you've read my article about Hoang Thanh Thang Long, you probably recall the details of the North Gate being breached twice in 1873 and 1882, leading to the execution of two governors, Nguyen Tri Phuong and Hoang Dieu. It serves as evidence of the tumultuous history of the country during this period. However, Hang Buom, Hang Ngang, the 'stronghold,' was protected by the French. The street remained vibrant, bustling with Chinese traders and merchants. Perhaps from that time, Eastern architecture had the opportunity to blend with Western architecture, and it still exists until now.

The building with distinctive French architecture

European architectural art harmoniously blends with the ancient lines of Chinese culture

Standing amidst the intersection of time

The Altar of the Mother Goddess in the Quang Dong Assembly Hall

The glossy wooden door imprints the essence of time

3. Opening Hours

4. Entrance Tickets

Free admission, motorcycle parking available across the street (5,000 VND/bike) or right in front of the center (10,000 VND/bike)

If you wish to slowly step through the waves of time, this is the ideal space for you. In the nostalgic atmosphere, marvel at the vibrant architecture from ancient times, where the convergence of three cultural backgrounds takes place. Spend moments connecting with artisans to understand more about life, humanity. Listen to stories about the To Lich River, the Khe Cho people, Overseas Chinese, and the people of Hanoi then - now... This is truly an intriguing experience that you shouldn't miss!

Author: Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai
*Article participating in the Mytour Golocal program

Mytour Golocal is a blogging program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, part of the Mytour Go & Share program. This is an excellent opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualified article, you will receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a collaborator with Mytour. Detailed information about the program can be found at: https://trv.lk/golocal