CATEGORIES

© Copyright 2004; Hanoitimes - Economic and Urban Newspaper;

The tribune of Hanoi People’s Committee

Publication Permit: 29/GP-CBC

Editor - in - Chief: Nguyen Thanh Loi

Managing Editor: Ta Thu Giang

Email : thugiang@hanoitimes.vn

Head Office: 21 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi

Branch Office: 221 Tran Phu Street, Ha Dong District, Hanoi

WORDS ON THE STREET 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
Home / My HaNoi / History
Researcher explores history of capital via wrought ironwork
Dtinews/Hanoitimes 15:56, 2014/07/22
Resulting from a combination of East meets West in the early 20th century, ornamental motifs on the wrought iron railings, balconies, gates and windows give Hanoi a truly elegant beauty.
Metallic charm: A balcony with iron railings in a French villa. Researcher Tran Hau Yen The says this rich iron heritage is

Resulting from a combination of East meets West in the early 20th century, ornamental motifs on the wrought iron railings, balconies, gates and windows give Hanoi a truly elegant beauty.

Expert Tran Hau Yen The, a lecturer at the Vietnam Academy of Fine Arts, delivered his research on this field at a conference held on July 18 in Hanoi.

The conference was titled: "Hanoi Seen through ‘Iron Eyelashes'", as The compares an iron balcony with a young girl's curly eyelashes.

It was a chance for him to exchange with readers of his newly released book Song Xua Pho Cu (Old Iron Works on Old Streets) which focuses on the ironwork in Hanoi in the first half of the 20th century.

This book is a result of 15 years meticulous and patient research on the city's ironwork heritage.

The wasn't born in Hanoi but he loves the city and spends much time here to discover its beauty expressed through architectural heritage.

He said the idea of researching the city's old architecture came to him during the days he was living in quarters at the University of National Economics.

"Old living quarters are part of the city's architectural heritage and preserve the historical value of the capital," he said.

To have a panoramic view of ironwork used in urban areas, The also travelled to HCM City, Hue, Nam Dinh and Paris to find out more.

"Before, the ironwork on each house gave us an idea of the lifestyle and culture of the owner.

"Now modern life is more complicated, and houses are covered in modern things such as advertisements and plastic eaves," he said.

"That's the reason why nowadays, it's hard to recognise that a bank was an old French villa or a pho shop hides the architecture of a famous camera shop in the Old Quarter."

Historian Le Van Lan appreciated The's research because it is rare.

"His book questions us about the way we preserve the capital's architectural heritage and artistic ironwork," he said.

"We can also learn from old architecture and use that knowledge when we plan the construction of new urban areas," said Lan.
Comments
Other news
10:01, 2024/10/20
Important archaeological finds unearthed on Hanoi's outskirts
The Vuon Chuoi site, a major Bronze Age archaeological site in northern Vietnam, is a residential and burial site dating from the Pre-Dong Son to Dong Son period (4,000-2,000 BC).
15:06, 2024/10/12
Hanoi celebrates liberation day in jubilation
The Party expedited the capture of Hanoi to protect against the French colonialists' plan to exploit the transition to undermine the cultural and economic infrastructure.
15:14, 2024/10/11
In memory of Hanoi: Resistance youth turn prisons into revolutionary schools
The harsh prison regime, with its cruel tortures, could not break the will and patriotism of the communist fighters.
22:16, 2024/10/10
70 years after Hanoi Liberation: Remembering Victory Day
With a spirit of patriotism, intelligence, and youthful dynamism, thousands of Hanoi students took up arms in the fight against French colonialism.
15:44, 2024/10/10
Historical relics in connection with capital's defense and liberation
Hanoi's history, especially the events surrounding the liberation of the capital 70 years ago, is reflected in many of the city's tourist attractions.
21:29, 2024/10/09
Hanoi teacher with determination to protect the capital
In the atmosphere of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the capital, Meritorious Teacher Nguyen Tien Ha recalled the years when he participated in the Hoang Dieu National Salvation Youth Union and was actively involved in revolutionary activities in the capital.