A neoclassical building built by the French in 1912 in the center of Haiphong, Vietnam. It was one of three theaters built during the French colonial period, along with theaters in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The theater was designed on the model of the Palais Garnier in Paris, using materials brought from France. The architecture combines Baroque, Gothic, and Greco-Roman elements: arched windows, Corinthian columns, a domed ceiling, decorative frescoes and stucco. Inside, there is a 400-seat auditorium with red velvet seats and excellent acoustics.
Since its opening, the theater has served as a cultural center for the French elite and the local bourgeoisie. After the 1945 revolution, it became the scene of political events: rallies, the proclamation of the new government, and in 1946, armed resistance to French troops took place here. Today, the theater is used for concerts, plays, public performances and celebrations. In 2015, it was designated a national architectural monument. It is one of Hai Phong’s most iconic buildings, a symbol of the city’s cultural and historical continuity.