Hanoi Exhibition
1902 world's fair in French Indochina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hanoi Exhibition (Exposition de Hanoi) was a world's fair[1] held in Hanoi in then French Indochina between November 16, 1902,[1] and February 15[2] or 16,[1] 1903.
| 1902–1903 Hanoi | |
|---|---|
Grand Palais d'Expositions | |
| Overview | |
| BIE-class | Unrecognized exposition |
| Name | Indo China Exposition Française et Internationale |
| Building(s) | Palais d'expositions designed by Adolphe Bussy |
| Area | 41 acres (17 hectares) |
| Organized by | Paul Doumer |
| Location | |
| Country | Tonkin (now Northern Vietnam) |
| City | Hanoi |
| Coordinates | 21.0393206°N 105.8343995°E |
| Timeline | |
| Opening | 15 November 1902 |
| Closure | 15 or 16 February 1903 |
Context
Hanoi had become the capital of French Indochina earlier in 1902 replacing Saigon. Earlier activities to mark the change included a festival on 26 February 1902 attended by emperor Thành Thái and the governor general Paul Doumer[2] and the opening of the Paul Doumer (now Long Biên) Bridge.[2] The exhibition was the idea of Paul Doumer.[3]
Grand Palais de l'Exposition
The site of the fair was the racecourse established in the early 1890s,[3] and its main building was the Grand Palais de l'Exposition (Vietnamese: Nhà Đấu xảo) designed by Adolphe Bussy.[4]
The preparation for the fair, especially the construction of the exhibition palace, left Hanoi's budget in deficit for a decade.[3]
When the Japanese took over Vietnam, they based their military and supply in the palace. Later, air raids at the end of World War II completely destroyed the building.[4]
The modern site of the palace now stands the Friendship Cultural Palace (Vietnamese: Cung Văn hoá Hữu nghị), a concert venue in southern Hoàn Kiếm District.
Participation
Exhibits
As well as country displays there was a machine gallery,[6] a La Grand Roue amusement ride,[7] and art in the French Section of Fine Arts including work by Carolus-Duran.[4]