Where French art de vivre meets elegant Vietnamese charm

The Cultural Link, a graceful fusion of French zest and the authentic heritage of our local destination, is a core pillar of the Sofitel spirit and an essential part of Metropole Hanoi’s identity. As our 125th anniversary year continues to unfold, we find ourselves reflecting upon the second of our four chapters:

A dialogue between cultures, celebrating cross-cultural exchange and local immersion.

At the Metropole, this dialogue is our legacy, woven into the very fabric of our estate – revealed through the architecture that shelters our history, and lived daily through our people.

Metropole Legendary Service

At the centre of our legacy are the Metropole Ambassadors – masters of the art of hospitality who serve from the heart.

Our culture is built on a harmony of refined French heritage and warm Vietnamese hospitality. It is captured in a simple “bonjour” and the grace of the áo dài, and defined by genuine connections, personalised luxury, and the intuition to anticipate needs before they are spoken.

Architecture and Interior Design

The Metropole is a rare Southeast Asian property that remains from the early 20th century. Our “stylish heritage” design is inspired by the richness of classical French architecture, subtly interspersed with touches of local Vietnamese elements – reflected in our classical white façade, green shutters, original wrought iron detailing, wood paneling, and tranquil courtyard garden.

Our story of graceful heritage and timeless elegance has remained uninterrupted since 1901, narrated through fin-de-siècle details and elements that transport guests back in time, such as our restored 1950s Citroën Traction Avant Familiale limousines.

Gastronomy

With a passion for dining as an art form, we boast a diverse array of experiences for every mood and occasion. From French and Vietnamese to international flavours, our offers showcase premium ingredients and sustainable local produce, often elevated by refined French techniques with a Vietnamese twist.

A signature expression of our cultural link is the hand-crafted mooncakes produced every autumn – a meaningful tribute to our heritage that weaves traditional Vietnamese touches into a global luxury icon.

Art

Land of Memory Exhibition

As part of its 125 Years of a Legend celebrations, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, in collaboration with Thang Long Art Gallery, is honoured to present ‘Land of Memory’ by Vietnamese artist Ngo Van Sac, reflecting a shared vision to celebrate Hanoi’s cultural legacy in a contemporary interpretation.

Born and raised in Hanoi within a family of photographers and painters spanning several generations, Ngo Van Sac’s artistic vision was shaped from an early age through journeys with his father, documenting the people, landscapes, architecture and everyday life of Hanoi through black and white film photography. From these memories emerged a series of works recalling 19th-century Hanoians and the enduring visual motifs of the Indochine era.

Through a distinctive combination of wood-burning, silk-screen printing, dó paper collage, oil and acrylic, each work embraces the natural grain of wood as an integral part of its composition, bringing memory, nature and refined craftsmanship together. ‘Land of Memory’ offers a contemporary reflection on Hanoi’s enduring cultural identity, where memories continue to inspire the present.

❊ On display from 1 July to 16 August
❊ Opera Wing lobby

Indochina and After Exhibition

Inspired by the question of what follows the legacy of Indochina-era art, “Indochina and After” brings together three distinguished artists, each with a distinct perspective and artistic practice. What unites them is a shared return to the roots of Vietnamese culture, from which they develop their own artistic languages and express these values through a contemporary spirit.

Artist and cultural scholar Phan Cam Thuong presents a series of lacquer paintings inspired by Vietnam’s ancient cultural heritage, where memory and traditional symbols are distilled through imagery, materiality, and visual rhythm.

Ly Truc Son, who spent many years working artistically in France and Germany, developed his painterly language through an engagement with the aesthetic spirit of Indochina. His works move beyond the boundaries of locality, bringing Vietnamese painting closer to the currents of modern art.

Meanwhile, Do Thi Kim Doan presents her “Garden Corner” series, capturing the quiet beauty of everyday Vietnamese family life through lacquer paintings rich in emotion and depth.

Presented as one of the highlights of the Metropole’s “125 Years of a Legend” celebrations, the exhibition in collaboration with The Muse Artspace honours the enduring artistic legacy of the Indochina period through contemporary perspective, bringing the richness of Vietnamese art and culture to local audiences and international visitors alike.

Curator: Van Vi
Artists: Phan Cam Thuong, Ly Truc Son, Do Thi Kim Doan

❊ On display from 17 August to 8 October
❊ Opera Wing lobby