Hanoi Museum to Undergo Renovation

Hanoi museum was a major project of the 1000 years celebration. Together with Hoa Binh park, the two sites were finished just prior to October 10th last year and represented the two most funded construction projects for the anniversary.

The museum features displays from various times and dynasties in more than a thousand years of the city’s history. Its odd shape is also considered a break-away from the typical high-rise scene of the capital’s monotone constructions. Rising up in what many call the “reverse pyramid” shape, the building’s architecture is actually a resemblance of the famed One-Pillar Pagoda, which in turn draws its inspiration from the lotus flower.

The total funding for the museum, at the time of commencement is estimated to be 2300 billions VND. Now, with other 760 billions for the renovation project, the figure has reached a new record. 3060 billions VND amounts to roughly 150 millions US$.

Despite having received an initially large investment, the fact that construction was rushed to meet the October deadline made the quality of work questionable. Many top curators from around the globe also comment on the poor arrangement of displays at the museum, in which an insufficiently short time for careful assessment is to blame.

Beginning July 2011, the museum will undergo major renovation that focuses mostly on improving the infrastructure of the building. Hanoi government officials have declared the work is to be finished by the end of August 2011 at the latest.