Sun Group Breaks Ground on Hanoi Opera House: A Six-Fold Larger Venue Seating Thousands

Spanning approximately 40 hectares with a total investment of VND 12,756 billion, this project stands as a landmark celebration of the 71st anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation (October 10, 1954 – October 10, 2025).

As a rare large-scale cultural and artistic endeavor, this project is fully funded through private sector socialization, spearheaded by Sun Group. The design, construction, and operation are meticulously managed and supervised by Hanoi’s municipal authorities.

The Hanoi Opera House is masterfully designed by Renzo Piano, recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize, often regarded as the “Nobel Prize of architecture.” Piano’s portfolio includes globally acclaimed projects, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century.

With a floor area of approximately 40,980 m² (excluding parking and technical spaces), nearly six times the size of a standard football field, the opera house features two grand auditoriums. The main opera hall seats 1,797, while the versatile multi-purpose hall accommodates 1,430 standing and 216 balcony seats, adaptable for live music performances, concerts, and more.

Beyond the auditoriums, the venue boasts multifunctional spaces such as a grand foyer, rehearsal rooms, and a museum. It will serve as a hub for diverse artistic performances—from symphony concerts and Broadway-style shows to classical opera, ballet, award ceremonies, and large-scale entertainment events—while also fostering cultural exchange and leisure for Hanoi’s residents.

The centerpiece of the structure is its domed roof, inspired by the imagery of a “pearl floating on West Lake.” The ultra-thin dome is coated with light-reflective materials, creating a dynamic color-changing effect throughout the day.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony, Mr. Dương Đức Tuấn, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee, emphasized that culture and heritage are pivotal pillars in Hanoi’s Master Plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision extending to 2050, and the Adjusted General Plan for the Capital until 2045, with a vision to 2065. Amidst deep international integration, investing in iconic cultural projects is crucial for affirming Hanoi’s status as a millennium-old capital and promoting Vietnam’s image as innovative, humane, integrated, and sustainably developing.

During the ceremony, Vietcombank presented a Credit Approval Letter for the project. The Hanoi Opera House is slated for completion in 2027.