A new journey of L’Espace in Hanoi

After nearly 20 years of being headquartered on Trang Tien downtown street, L'Espace Hanoi – the famous venue for French- Vietnamese cultural exchange will be relocated.

The sketche drawing of new L'Espace. Photo courtesy of L'Espace in Hanoi

Speaking at a press conference on May 8, H.E Nicolas Warnery - French Ambassador to Vietnam said that the new address of the French Institute in Hanoi will be a two-story French-style building at No 15 Thien Quang Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi.

The new venue consists of a multimedia library center; a resource center dedicated to French language and culture lovers; and an event space.

“In the near future, the French Institute in Hanoi will not only hold events at its premises on Thien Quang Street, but also carry out its cultural exchange activities in many other cultural destinations in the city,” he added.

According to Director of the French Institute in Vietnam Sophie Maysonnave, the move is part of the new strategy of the French Institute in Vietnam, which aims to renovate the Institute's activities in three main directions: approaching the new public; developing new activities; and “still being a familiar cultural space for everyone”.

The press conference on the relocation of L'Espace Hanoi held on April 8. Photo: Jenna Duong

“The street where the French Institute in Hanoi has been headquartered since 2003, which is near the iconic Hanoi Opera House, has undergone many changes. Bookstores and small shops have gradually been replaced by luxurious restaurants, shops and hospitality establishments. For such of the reason, activities in the neighborhood have become too expensive and unaffordable for a part of L’Espace public, like students, for example,” Sophie said.

That is incompatible with the purpose of the French Institute - a non-profit organization - which wishes to continue providing the highest quality of service at an affordable price to the public, especially to students,” Sophie explained the relocation of the L’Espace Hanoi.

After relocation, the L’Espace’s annual film screenings will be shown at a new location in Hanoi’s downtown while the French classes will be taught at a venue in Long Bien District.

In addition, the French Institute in Vietnam plans to take Vietnamese artists abroad for art exchange in 14 other French institutes around the world as well as foster the promotion of French and Vietnamese cultural exchanges.

Currently, the exhibition titled “Hidden Treasures” by the late artist Phan Ke An will remain on display at 24 Trang Tien Street until April 16. A music performance titled LiveSpace 4 to be held at 8pm on April 23 will be the last event of L’Espace at the old venue.