Mr Chaplain said based on the friendship between the two countries and his great appreciation for historical documents, he wanted to offer these original items to Vietnam for the country can preserve and display them.

Vietnamese diplomat Dung thanked Mr Chaplain for the valuable gifts as well as his good sentiments towards Vietnam.

Historian Duong Trung Quoc said Mr Chaplain’s contribution to the 100^th anniversary of the Opera House is very significant and shows the good feelings a French person has towards Vietnam.

The Hanoi Opera House was considered a cradle of cultural exchange among the French during the colonial period in Vietnam and now it is where new talent is fostered for the country’s modernised culture.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is expected to recognize the Opera House as a special historical relic.