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| Hue Railway Station - a stunning work of French architecture |
Unlike Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, where French architecture is found in greater numbers, the French architectural works that survive in the former imperial capital have been preserved to this day. Many have become heritage sites and destinations that visitors eagerly seek out when in Hue. For artists and architects living on this land, sketching serves as a distinctive way to preserve and promote these structures.
Late last April, more than 40 artists, including lecturers and students from the University of Arts and the University of Sciences (Hue University), as well as painters and architects, took part in an engaging sketching tour centered on architectural works more than a century old. Organized by the Hue Museum of Fine Arts, the program served as a way to preserve memories while promoting these artworks to audiences near and far through an artistic lens.
French architecture in Hue is never far from sight, appearing most prominently along Le Loi Street on the southern bank of the Huong River. Notable examples include Hue Railway Station, the headquarters of Hue University, Quoc Hoc High School for the Gifted, Hai Ba Trung High School, the building at 23–25 Le Loi Street, and the Saigon Morin Hotel. More than a century on, these structures have retained their distinctive architectural features, including arched doorways, long corridors, wrought-iron balconies, and bright colors.
If imperial architecture carries a majestic and serene beauty, French architecture reflects elegance and modernity. This combination has not diminished the city’s identity; on the contrary, it has created a layered urban landscape where each structure represents a slice of history.
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| The brightly-colored gate of Quoc Hoc High School |
Painter Phan Quang of the University of Arts (Hue University) has explored a wide range of sketching subjects, but the French architectural works in his hometown still hold a distinct attraction for him. They are more than architectural structures; they are also “witnesses” to the history of the region’s development. That is why, through his sketches, Quang has sought to capture the architectural details, values, and historical significance of each structure he cherishes. “Through these sketches, we hope to help viewers better understand the heritage values that continue to exist and to highlight Hue’s beauty. We also hope to encourage everyone to lend their voices to preserving and promoting those values,” he said.
More than 120 sketches submitted by artists to the organizers have, in one way or another, captured the treasure trove of French architecture through different dimensions of space and time. While Hue Railway Station retains its elegant and unmistakable architectural form, Quoc Hoc and Hai Ba Trung high schools, as seen through the artist’s eyes, appear softer, lending charm to the poetic riverside road along the Huong River. Meanwhile, other architectural works, such as the Saigon Morin Hotel and the impressive French-style building at 23–25 Le Loi Street, are highlighted with graceful touches that blend harmoniously into the urban landscape.
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| The building at 23-25 Le Loi Street exudes a classic and elegant charm |
Amid the rhythm of modern life, these architectural works and historical sites remain present as silent witnesses. More than precious cultural assets, they are also an endless source of inspiration for art, especially sketching. Through each stroke of the pen, artists not only recreate the form of a structure but also imbue it with their emotions and personal perspectives on time, memory, and space. Therefore, exploring and creating sketches of French architectural works is not merely an artistic activity but also a journey of discovery, appreciation, and preservation of heritage. Through this, people can gain a deeper appreciation of the beauty of Hue – a heritage city where the past and present always go hand in hand.
Tran Tuan Anh, Acting Deputy Director of the Hue Museum of Fine Arts, which received the sketch artworks, said that these are meaningful works. As such, both the sketching activity and the artworks produced through it can be seen as important milestones in the journey of witnessing the development of Hue’s urban landscape.
“The Hue Museum of Fine Arts will preserve, exhibit, and effectively promote these works, thereby helping introduce them to the public, domestic visitors, and international friends,” Tuan Anh said.