Surviving the test of time and the dangers of the war, the French - Vietnamese buildings have preserved precious cultural values and history.
The National Museum of Vietnamese History was established in 1958, on the foundation of the Louis Finot Museum. The construction was designed by architect Carlos Batteur and Ernest Hébrard in 1925, under the Indo – Chinese style. The museum has become a landmark along the red river.
The vertical shape of the museum is highlighted by the roof system, which reflects the image of the Keo pagoda's bell-tower in Thai Binh province. The whole roof system was designed in a 2-layer structure, which is often seen in traditional Vietnamese religious buildings. Many local materials were used during the construction process.
Besides The National Museum of Vietnamese History, there are many other structures built in the French – Vietnamese architecture style, such as Hanoi Medical University, the head office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Chu Van An high school. This classical architecture takes on a new personality amidst the tropical landscape, and offers an undeniable charm that continues to intrigue all generations of Vietnamese.
