The Government Guest House, also known as Bac Bo Phu, opened its doors to the public for the first time from November 9 to 17, as part of the Hanoi 2024 Creative Design Festival.
Constructed in 1918, Bac Bo Phu boasts a French colonial architectural style and has previously been known as the Residence of the Governor-General of French Indochina and the Residence of the High Commissioner of Northern Vietnam.
The building has witnessed significant historical events during both the resistance wars against the French and the Americans. In 1945, President Ho Chi Minh worked here, and the building was renamed Bac Bo Phu.
Aerial view of Bac Bo Phu.
This structure, along with the Office of the Governor-General (now the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs), the Metropole Hotel, and the Dien Hong Garden (Toad Garden), forms an ensemble valued for its architecture, history, culture, and landscape, according to the Government Guest House’s website.
Bullet holes in the front fence of the building, highlighted by artists to emphasize the historical traces of the 1946 Bac Bo Phu battle.
Bac Bo Phu has three stories, including a basement, but only a portion of the first floor is open to visitors who can learn about the building’s history through informative posters on the walls. The small exhibition space was constantly bustling with visitors from morning to afternoon.
On November 10 alone, approximately 2,000 locals and tourists visited the site. The diverse crowd included people of all ages, especially young adults and families with children.
Nguyen Tuan Anh, a guide from Vietravel, has been leading numerous tour groups since November 9. He was surprised by the level of interest and engagement shown by the younger visitors during his historical presentations about Bac Bo Phu.
“Stepping inside for the first time, I felt a strong sense of our nation’s proud history, especially when learning about the 1946 Bac Bo Phu battle,” he shared.
During the first two days of the open house, Tuan Anh’s company hosted approximately 200 visitors on tours of Bac Bo Phu, each lasting 30 minutes. Guests were impressed to finally see the interior of Bac Bo Phu and gain a deeper understanding of its historical and cultural significance.
“I was truly moved and overwhelmed when I entered this place and read about its history,” shared Dang Thanh Ha, a resident of Ba Dinh district. She added that the creative design festival brought people closer to the city’s iconic landmarks.
Bac Bo Phu currently serves as a venue for diplomatic events hosted by the Party, State, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One of the two reception rooms on the first floor is pictured here, viewed by guests from outside.
Many visitors expressed their disappointment at not being able to explore more of Bac Bo Phu, as the open area on the first floor is quite limited. The other reception room is pictured here, also viewed from outside.
The dragon motif on the threshold leading to the rear courtyard of Bac Bo Phu is a rare Eastern touch in the predominantly Western-style complex.
According to the guide, this artwork is an example of mosaic tile art, commonly found in structures from the Nguyen dynasty. The technique involves smashing imported ceramic pieces into small fragments and then reassembling them with cement.
During the creative design festival, the rear courtyard of the Government Guest House featured an exhibition titled “Hien,” showcasing installations by a group of sculptors and graphic designers from Hanoi Architectural University. The artists aimed to highlight the presence of old values in our daily lives.
Hoang Yen, a Hanoi resident, has been visiting various festival venues since day one. She praised the festival for shedding light on Hanoi’s stories and creating a sense of community. Through these events, she hopes that her daughter will gain knowledge and be inspired creatively.
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