Photo exhibition highlights Hanoi of late 19th century

A view of St. Joseph's Cathedral built from 1884 to 1887.

The cathedral is now a top tourist attraction in the capital.

The archive photos are being exhibited at the exhibition at Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Area in Hanoi on the 69th anniversary of the Capital's Liberation.

The exhibition will last until December 31, introducing about 150 documents and images, including two themes: the Streets of Hanoi and East-West Intersection.

The exhibition highlights Hanoi's developments and changes in the fields of planning and construction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period that marked an important change in Hanoi under the impact of the French.

Kho Hinh Pagoda, known as Bao An Pagoda at the end of the 19th century. This was the largest pagoda in the north at that time.

The pagoda consists of 180 compartments, and 36 roofs, surrounded by a hexagonal wall. In addition, the pagoda also owns many statues, all painted with bright red and gilded patterns.

Hang Bong Street at the end of the 19th century.

At that time, the French began to plan and build Hanoi according to the foundations of the old capital Thang Long with the Hanoi citadel at the center.

In addition to works such as the Flag Tower of Hanoi, Doan Mon, the main southern gate to Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and dragon steps in front of Kinh Thien Palace that had been retained, a series of new neighborhoods and political and administrative centers were built.

Hang Gai Street in 1884-1885.

Gia Long Avenue (now Ba Trieu Street) in the early 20th century.

New streets were opened under the French planning such as Victor Hugo Street (now Hoang Dieu Street), Carnot Avenue (now Phan Dinh Phung Avenue), Nationale Avenue (now Chu Van An Street), République (now Hoang Van Thu street), Brière de l'Isle street (now Hung Vuong street), Puginier avenue (now Dien Bien Phu street).

A busy area in the earth 20th century that is now Yen Phu - Tran Nhat Duat - Tran Quang Khai streets.

Hanoi Post Office Department in the early 20th century.

Indochina University (now Hanoi National University) at the end of the 20th century.

Hang Dau water tower of the 20th century.

The project was built in 1894, located at the intersection of the ancient streets of Hang Than, Hang Luoc, Hang Giay, Hang Dau, Quan Thanh and Phan Dinh Phung streets.

Despite many years of war, the water tower still exists as a historical testament.

A flea market in Hanoi in the early 20th century.

O Quan Chuong Gate at the end of the 20th century. The gate was in the east of Thang Long Citadel.

Wooden rafts on the Red River and Paul Doumer Bridge, early 20th century.