Hanoi to kick off $500 million opera house project in October for Liberation Day
The opera house is one of many key projects in healthcare, culture, transport and urban development to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the capital’s Liberation.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi will begin construction of a new opera house and cultural park complex on the banks of the West Lake in October to mark the 71st anniversary of the Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 – October 10, 2025).
The Pearl Theater and Thematic Culture and Arts Park, designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano, will cover over 191,000 square meters, with an investment of nearly VND12.8 trillion (US$500 million).
With over 2,000 seats and advanced acoustic technology, the opera house is set to become one of Asia’s largest and most iconic facilities. It features a pearl-effect dome that reflects the West Lake’s waves and changing light.
The project is set for completion in 2029.
The opera house and cultural park complex is one of the eight key projects that Hanoi will break ground on to celebrate of the capital's Liberation Day.
Perspective of the Pearl Opera House at West Lake. Source: Tay Ho Ward People’s Committee.
Among other projects is the building of the new Le Hong Phong Cadre Training School to meet the city’s training needs in the new era.
The project has a total investment of VND980 billion ($37 million) and will be located in Phu Luong Ward. It is scheduled to take five years to complete.
Hanoi will also kick-start a project to build its second Kidney Hospital facility in Yen Nghia Ward. It will cover more than 6,300 square meters with a capacity of 250 beds.
The hospital project has a total investment of nearly VND750 billion ($28.4 million) and includes buildings of two to eight storeys and a basement.
Around Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi authorities will renovate the landscape to turn the eastern side of the lake into a 1.4-hectare public space featuring three underground levels for cultural, commercial and parking activities.
The construction area will cover the popular Thuy Ta Restaurant and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square at the pedestrian zone.
Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square. Photo: The Hanoi Times
In transport, Hanoi will launch the Metro Line 2 (Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao) project that runs 11.5 km with seven underground and three elevated stations.
The project will cost the city some VND35.6 trillion ($1.4 billion) in investment. It is slated for completion and operation in 2029.
To enhance cross-river traffic, Hanoi will start building connection roads to Tran Hung Dao Bridge and kick off the Thuong Cat Bridge project.
The 5.6-kilometer-long Tran Hung Dao Bridge is estimated to cost VND16 trillion ($630 million). It will link central Hanoi with Long Bien District.
Whilst, Thuong Cat Bridge will enhance links between northern and western Hanoi.
The project, worth VND7.3 trillion ($287 million), spans 5.2 kilometers with a 780-meter main section, approach bridges and roads.
