The architecture of any country is a marker of its culture, history and tradition. The materials used, the shape, the lines, curves and colours all come together to present a masterpiece that is unique and beautiful. Vietnamese architecture is no different. From vernacular stilt houses to extravagant palaces and concrete towers, the country's building is an ode to its rich past and its promising future.
If you're planning to explore this South Asian country, here's the lowdown on what all you should look out for:
Traditional houses in Vietnam were characterized by wooden structures topped by steep roofs. The roofs would be covered with fish-scale tiles and curve outwards, while beams and rafters held up the main building. In some places, stilt houses were built and the houses usually had an odd number of rooms. However, the coming of various dynasties shaped cultural landmarks in the country in different ways. Palaces, pagodas and citadels flourished in Vietnam for over 500 years.
The Ly Dynasty of the 11th century, for example, was deeply influenced by Buddhism and incorporated intricate reliefs and motifs into their architecture. In 1031, a staggering 950 pagodas were constructed by the reigning monarch Ly Thai Tong. During this period, rounded statues, door-steps, decorated roofs and bannisters were common features of Vietnamese architecture.The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO world heritage site now, is a must-visit for tourists looking to experience Vietnamese heritage up close. Located in present-day Hanoi, the citadel was the political centre of the region for 13 centuries consecutively and will delight history buffs in particular. This magnificent structure is a fine example of Vietnamese architecture from the medieval era.
Tran dynasty, which gained a foothold in the 13th century, brought its own set of beliefs and customs that madeits mark in Vietnam's architectural history. Buildings became more complex and demarcated, and gardens became a part of temples and places of worship. Tower-temples also emerged at this time; The Pho Binh Tower in Nam Dinh province and Binh Son Towerin Vinh Phuc province are relics from the Tran dynasty.
The Le Dynasty thrived in the 16th and 17th centuries, and witnessed the rise of folk art and sculpture being used in contemporary carvings and paintings. The Tay Phuong Pagoda and Bang Communal House are the most remarkable buildings of this era. The last major Kingdom was the Nguyen dynasty, which shifted the capital from Thang Long to Hue in central Vietnam. Although it retained the older tradition of wooden houses, the structures built during this period appear to be slender and lighter. These are also decorated with flowers, dragons and phoenix motifs, and have multiple layers within the roofs. This is what gives the lighter appearance, and the roofs would have up to 8 layers with the space between them (known as co-diem) filled with porcelain and ceramic bits.
Colonial French Architecture in Vietnam
The French left their mark all over Vietnam, architecturally speaking, as they colonised the country for almost 70 years. The influence of French styles in Vietnamese architecture is especially prominent in Hanoi and Hoi An,where many landmark buildings that have now become the most popular tourist attractions of Vietnam. St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi, serving four million Catholics was modelled after the Notre Dame in Paris and continues to attract people with its neo-gothic edifice. Another reimagining of a French icon is the Hanoi Opera House - inspired by the Palais Garnier- painted in vibrant yellow and white hues. With Italian-made marble floor, copper chandeliers and murals on the ceiling, the Opera House is as famous for its beautiful interiors as it is for the musical performances held there. Other noteworthy structures in Vietnam displaying colonial French architecture include The Presidential Palace and The National Museum of Vietnamese History. You might notice that these buildings are all yellow, a colour that is not only uplifting but also reflects the heat of the tropical country.
Modern Vietnamese Architecture
The style that took the world by storm in the 20th century found a place in Vietnam too. The period between the 1940sand the 1970s is known as the golden age of modernist architecture in Vietnam by historians. In Ho Chi Minh City especially, several remarkable buildings were designed by Vietnamese architects in the modern style such as the Reunification Palace and the University of Architecture. Skyscrapers,however, such as the Bitexco Financial Tower were designed by foreign companies, which explains why they are more easily identifiable as international modern structures; since materials such as glass, metal and concrete dominated.
With such a rich history carved into its walls, Vietnamese architecture fascinates the millions of travellers who come looking to absorb its beauty. Not only do the country's buildings prove to be a visual delight, they're also imbued with the culture of Vietnam - a fact that only adds to their allure. The information is here is all you need to get started on your Asian getaway. Just make sure you don't forget to take your camera along!
French colonial architecture in Vietnam is a captivating testament to the country's historical ties with France. The era of French colonial rule, spanning from the 19th to the mid-20th century, left a significant imprint on both Vietnam's architectural landscape and well as modern day influences.
These styles include Vernacular, Imperial, Colonial, Modernist, and Contemporary architecture. Vernacular architecture varies across regions and ethnic groups, while Imperial architecture showcases splendid palaces, temples, and tombs.
Each local has its own style of their design, from north to the South and from ancient time up to now, Architecture of Vietnam is variety and diversified in structure to the outlook. Simple and Humble, except the royal buildings, the rest are simple and humble as the soul of Vietnamese people.
One of the most famous structures in Vietnam is the Imperial City in Hue, central Vietnam. This photo shows the gateway to the Imperial City where Vietnamese royalty once lived. One of the oldest structures in Vietnam is the One Pillar Pagoda, a small temple which stands on one leg, located in Hanoi.
Franco-Vietnamese relations started as early as the 17th century, with the arrival of Catholic missionaries in Vietnam. But it didn't end there. France would eventually colonize Vietnam and Cambodia, forming the Indochinese Union in 1887, which would solidify French influence in Vietnam for the next 70 years.
The relationship between France and Vietnam began in the 17th century when French Catholic missionaries came to the country. Trading strengthened the relationship between the countries, which led to France eventually colonizing Vietnam in the 19th century.
Many Vietnamese citizen live in the flood-prone plains. They take every measure they can to avoid the damagers to floods, so they build their homes on stilts. The stilt houses that are used today are very very similar to the ones that were built and used the Vietnamese people four thousand years ago.
Materials used in traditional vietnamese architecture were carefully chosen to suit the tropical climate and local resources. Wood, bamboo, and terracotta tile were the primary elements.
Although the ancient architecture of the original times was destroyed due to war or natural disasters, some parts like the Temple of Literature and Ngo Mon gate of Hue Imperial City are classic examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture that can be seen even in the current times.
In Vietnam, property taxes were paid based on front line width to the street and category of the street. The reason being for this is the density of population. So the long and thin houses will save up much space in compare with square houses.
Vietnam is geographically near China, Cambodia, and Laos which is why there is no surprise why much of its culture, art, and language is heavily influenced by these countries too. What makes Vietnamese culture truly interesting is the fact that it is considered one of the oldest ever cultures in the world.
Vietnam is a multiethnic country with 54 ethnic groups recognized by the government. Each ethnic group has its own language and culture. The Vietnamese (Kinh) people account for roughly 86% of the country's population and mainly reside in deltas and coastal provinces.
Why yellow? Locally it symbolises royalty, luck, pride and prosperity; significant architectural monuments are therefore painted in various shades. Another reason is a little more practical: yellow absorbs less heat and is thus better suited to the humid, tropical weather of Vietnam.
There are various distinctive traditional Vietnam house styles in this region, such as "nhà kèo" (beam houses) and "nhà nọc nứa" (ridge-roofed houses). Particularly, "nhà kèo" is one of the most popular and ancient house styles.
In the first instance, the buildings were constructed mainly to meet the demand of French authorities and their families. After basically conquering the entire territory of Indochina, French colonials undertook a major construction in Hanoi to turn it into the capital of all Indochina.
Many staple foods in Vietnam are French dishes modified to include local ingredients: omelets, baguettes, croissants and anything fried in butter. Certain ingredients—cauliflower, zucchini, pate and potatoes, among others—were introduced to Vietnam during the colonial years.
The onset of World War I and World War II saw the French Empire recruit soldiers and locals of its colonies to volunteer with the war effort in Metropolitan France. Roughly 50,000 and 20,000 Vietnamese migrated to France during these periods respectively.
Located behind the Hanoi Opera House, Vietnam National Museum of History, is a beautiful French colonial building. It was built starting in 1926 and officially opened in 1932. The museum was then taken over by the Vietnamese government in 1958 and opened to the public on September 3 of the same year.
Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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