A ground breaking ceremony was held to kick off the construction of Hanoi Children's Cultural Palace in the capital city’s Nam Tu Liem District on March 15.

Covering a total area of nearly 40,000 squared meter next to the CV1 Detension Basin Park in Pham Hung Road, Nam Tu Liem district, the VND1.3 billion (US$56 million) project is expected to be inaugurated in 2024.

The new project of Children’s Cultural Palace. Photo: Hanoi Construction and Investment Project Management Board

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Construction and Investment Project Management Board Pham Dinh Tuan said that the new Children’s Cultural Palace will have a modern architecture look with lots on greens and be equipped with up-to-dated facilities.

The works features an 800-seat-theatre, a 200-seat-cinema, a 500-seat stadium, a ten-lane swimming pool as well as a library, an astronomical tower and functional rooms.

According to Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee of Chu Xuan Dung, the new palace would meet the requirements of entertaining, sports playing, physical training and cultural exchanges of the children in the capital. It also helps creating a favorable environment for Hanoi children to develop their talents and aptitudes. 

The new palace will replace the current one, which is located on downtown Ly Thai To Street, by the iconic Hoan Kiem lake, covering an area of 8,100 sq. meters. In 1973, it was renovated and upgraded with the assistance of the former Czechoslovakia.

The current six-storey palace features nearly 100 well-equipped rooms for the practice and study of different subjects, including technology, culture, and arts. There is also a library with thousands of book titles.

In 1985, the palace underwent refurbishment again. Throughout nearly 40 years of its existence, the building’s equipment and facilities have severely deteriorated, leading to the decision to build a new Children's Palace in a more spacious space.

During the past decades, Children's Cultural Palace has been enriching the cultural life of the children in the city. It helps equip them with skills, knowledge as well as develop their artistic and physical talents.