Hanoi breaks ground on iconic opera house at Dam Tri Lake

THE HANOI TIMES — The Hanoi People’s Committee and Sun Group on October 5 broke ground on the Hanoi Opera House and a themed cultural and art park at Dam Tri Lake, Quang An Peninsula, Tay Ho Ward.

The project is a centerpiece among key works celebrating the 71st anniversary of the capital’s Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 – October 10, 2025).

Designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano, the opera house is set to become a new cultural landmark in Hanoi, showcasing Vietnam’s heritage while connecting with global art and architecture.

With a total floor area of nearly 41,000 square meters, the complex will feature two main halls including a 1,797-seat opera auditorium and a versatile performance space with movable seating, accommodating up to 1,430 standing guests and 216 balcony seats for concerts and live shows.

Other spaces include rehearsal rooms, a museum, a panoramic deck and multi-purpose cultural venues.

The building’s iconic highlight will be its dome-shaped roof inspired by the ripples of West Lake, constructed with ultra-thin, high-strength materials coated in a mother-of-pearl finish to reflect the lake’s changing colors throughout the day.

Once completed, the Hanoi Opera House is expected to join the ranks of the world’s great art sanctuaries in Paris, Milan, Berlin, London and New York.

Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Duong Duc Tuan said the project reflects the city’s vision to elevate culture as a development pillar alongside the economy.

“This is a community-oriented, non-profit project invested by Sun Group, a rare example globally where a major opera house is funded through social resources rather than state sponsorship,” he noted.

At the ceremony, Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member and Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, said that the groundbreaking marks not only the start of a cultural symbol but also a highlight of the Party and State’s strategic vision.

He expressed hopes the opera house will become a hub for world-class performances, a magnet for global artists and a showcase of Vietnam’s cultural soft power.

The Hanoi Opera House and cultural park are expected to enhance the capital’s international profile, drive cultural and tourism development and inspire patriotism while affirming Hanoi’s role as a millennium-old, modern and globally connected capital.