Many travelers have complained about not having chance to thoroughly learn the history and cultural architecture of the theater because, the tours take visitors to the theater for taking photo from outside and hence the theater is just the stopping point before coming to other sites. Moreover, previously, the theater was open only when there were political, art and cultural events happening in the theater.
Department of Culture – Sports and Tourism has launched plan of opening the City Opera House on two weekend days for residents and tourists who wish to discover unique cultural architecture in where the great cultural events of city usually take place.
Historical and architectural value
The construction of City Opera House was started in 1904 and completed in 1912 by the French architect who designed it to the prototype of Paris opera house, the construction materials were brought from France. The architecture of this Opera House is now basically kept as original shape. Tourist coming here can see the lyre on the door. Inside the house, there is a stage and two floors for audience seat; and on the 2nd floor, there are some dome shaped windows. The interior side of corridor has leather padded doors for the soundproof purpose. The ceiling is in dome shape decorated by flowers dotted with name of well-known European artists and actors such as Mozard, Betthoven, Molière …
Historical and architectural value
The construction of City Opera House was started in 1904 and completed in 1912 by the French architect who designed it to the prototype of Paris opera house, the construction materials were brought from France. The architecture of this Opera House is now basically kept as original shape. Tourist coming here can see the lyre on the door. Inside the house, there is a stage and two floors for audience seat; and on the 2nd floor, there are some dome shaped windows. The interior side of corridor has leather padded doors for the soundproof purpose. The ceiling is in dome shape decorated by flowers dotted with name of well-known European artists and actors such as Mozard, Betthoven, Molière …
It was venue for the first public meeting of the Viet Minh in Haiphong on 23/8/1946 and on 20/11/1946, 39 Viet Minh soldiers and platoon commander Đặng Kim Nở fought French troops and heroically sacrificed for four days and nights cling, protecting the theater. The opera house and square are the venue for celebrations of major holidays, important historical events or moment of New Year attracting thousands of people in the city. Concerts, art shows, cultural festivals … are also held here contributing to improve the spiritual life of the citizens.
Ineffectively exploitation of tourism value
Many travelers have complained about not having chance to thoroughly learn the history and cultural architecture of the theater because, the tours take visitors to the theater for taking photo from outside and hence the theater is just the stopping point before coming to other sites. Moreover, previously, the theater was open only when there were political, art and cultural events happening in the theater.
Ineffectively exploitation of tourism value
Many travelers have complained about not having chance to thoroughly learn the history and cultural architecture of the theater because, the tours take visitors to the theater for taking photo from outside and hence the theater is just the stopping point before coming to other sites. Moreover, previously, the theater was open only when there were political, art and cultural events happening in the theater.
Understanding the value of tourism as well as the interests and needs of tourists, the Department of Culture, Sports – Tourism of Hai Phong officially has opened the city opera house for tourists on Saturday, Sunday and major holidays starting from January 1, 2011. The managing and exploiting organization is the operator of art performances and is in charge of arranging electricity controlling, door opening, introducing video projecting force and tour guides who present in detail about historical, architectural and art value as well as the operation of the theater.
However, in reality, the extraction has been superficial and not really concerned. The Director of Hai Phong Operating Centre for Art Performance – Bui Van Bai said, the difficulty is the lack of tourists. The number of visitor group wishing to visit is rarely, but if any, they just come to have a quick look, even not staying for the introduction video. Although the Centre is granted fund to maintain operation, but with this prolonged situation, it will not be able to deal with the deficit part. Therefore, there should be a mechanism of charging visitors to this place to improve service quality.
However, in reality, the extraction has been superficial and not really concerned. The Director of Hai Phong Operating Centre for Art Performance – Bui Van Bai said, the difficulty is the lack of tourists. The number of visitor group wishing to visit is rarely, but if any, they just come to have a quick look, even not staying for the introduction video. Although the Centre is granted fund to maintain operation, but with this prolonged situation, it will not be able to deal with the deficit part. Therefore, there should be a mechanism of charging visitors to this place to improve service quality.
The reason leading to this situation, according to Mr. Bai, is that there is no project for exploiting the Opera House as a tourism product which is an ideal destination for tours itinerary in Haiphong. On the other hand, travel agents are not interested to take guests here for many different reasons. Mr. Bai confirmed that besides of providing good services in welcoming and guiding the tourists to visit, the Center is ready to organize such cultural and art activities as chèo, traditional music instruments or puppet performance and even luxurious type like concert performances for tourists.
Obviously, the Opera House is an attractive destination, but in fact, it cannot attract many tourists now. These shortcomings need to be resolved soon by the sectors of Culture, Sports and Tourism as well as the functional organizations in order to make this place really become an indispensable stopover in Port land tours.
Obviously, the Opera House is an attractive destination, but in fact, it cannot attract many tourists now. These shortcomings need to be resolved soon by the sectors of Culture, Sports and Tourism as well as the functional organizations in order to make this place really become an indispensable stopover in Port land tours.