Hà Nội Children’s Cultural Palace

It is located where, under French rule, there were two establishments: to the north was a kindergarten where festivals for adults such as beauty contests and periodical markets, etc. were often held; and to the south was the French club.

After the Vietnamese Government took over the capital, the two buildings were turned into the Young Pioneers’ Club, where children could enjoy entertainments. In 1973, with assistance from Czechoslovakia, the old club was tom down to give place to the Children’s Palace.

The palace, which was inaugurated on 19th February 1977, is located on Lý Thái Tổ Street and covers over 10,000 m2. At the center is one six- storey building. It has got an area of 1,875 m2 for use and nearly 100 rooms for studying and other activities. Each room has got modern equipment for specific purposes: machines and models for scientific and technical research; soundproof rooms and musical instruments for music performances; a dancing room of 100 m2.

Hà Nội Children’s Cultural Palace

The Technical Department of the Palace is well-equipped for drawing, sculpture, paper cutting, serigraphy, metal forging, housewifery, lace-weaving, embroidery, knitting, photography, etc. The Sports and Gymnastic Department has such games as table tennis, badminton, chess, national martial arts, karate, gun shooting, parachuting, etc. There is also a library with 60,000 books and a cinema of astronomical films.

On the left of the central building, there is a building called Khăn Quàng Đỏ (Red Scarf) Cinema. The cinema covers an area of 1,500m2 and has 520 seats. On the left of the building is another building with the “traditional house” of the Young Pioneers’ Union and other administrative department. In particular, one room of this building witnessed President Ho Chi Minh signing the Preliminary Agreement on 6th March 1946 with the French Agreement on 6th March 1946 with the French Government. The entire palace can seat 5,000 children at a time. This is a place to foster child talents in science and arts for the Capital.