HCMC – The iconic Opera House in downtown HCMC is slated for a comprehensive restoration project worth VND330 billion as many categories of the city’s landmark have shown signs of deterioration.
Lam Ngo Hoang Anh, chief of the Office of the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports, shared this information during a press conference on the city’s socio-economic development, held on September 28.
The objective of this restoration is to preserve a national artistic monument. The Opera House is envisioned as a venue for welcoming international guests and a location for hosting important festivals, art performances, and city events.
The restoration plan includes refurbishing the main sections of the Opera House, incorporating additional technical equipment, and relocating and preserving existing items during the renovation process.
The repair and restoration work is anticipated to span more than three years, commencing with the preparation of a feasibility study in the fourth quarter of this year. The project will be carried out incrementally to ensure the continuous operation of functional rooms.
To meet the required specifications, many materials needed for the restoration will be imported, according to a department representative.
The Opera House, initially known as L’Opera de Saigon, was officially inaugurated in 1900. Designed in the Flamboyant Gothic architectural style by French architect Félix Olivier, who drew inspiration from Paris’ Opera Garnier, it has undergone significant restoration work in 1998 to commemorate Saigon’s 300th anniversary.
