Take a trip back in time to see how was Hanoi in 1940, and how the city has changed over the past seven decades with many wars.
Tonkin, name of Hanoi during 40′, was in the middle of turbulent historical development. The French Indochina was being slowly dragged into World War II by the controlled of major power countries.
Indochina’s resources was planed to served and supported for the flight in Europe.
Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia became effectively more independent in terms of administrative operations thanks for France’s occupying by the war. But the Japanese, who were seeking to enforce a deal with the Vichy French colonial administration to facilitate economic expansion in the region and to block off the American aid passing through China, made sure that these conditions were executed.
Leave Indochina and left Japanese do whatever they want was the only way to avoid an attack against The Vichy French, who were at a crossroads. Though the United State and Great Britain were also opposed to the Japanese occupation, they did not particularly want to get involved.
In June 1940, the five-years Japanese invasion until the ends of World War II began with the first Japanese inspection team arrived in Hanoi, followed by its navy, army and air force three months later.
At this time, the Vichy French was still allow to administer Indochina, however Japan could continue its military operations. As a result, the first had little influence on the Hanoi atmosphere, administratively and structurally. As such, urban development has been left to the French colonial authorities.
The following photos were captured by American photographer Harrison Forman, who was a foreign correspondent for the New York Times and National Geographic at the time.
Hang Dao Street. The mean kind of traffic at this time were bicycle, rickshaw and electric car
Rue de la Soie was old name of Hang Dao Street
Cinéma TRUNG QUOC (China) was the former name of Golden Bell theater at present which located in Hang Bac Street.
Turtle Tower on Hoan Kiem Lake
People building air raid shelters
Entrance ramp to the Paul Doumer Bridge – Long Bien Bridge
Paul Doumer Bridge – Long Bien Bridge
Rue Paul Bert was the name of Trang Tien Street, also known as French Quarter of Hanoi. The Hotel Et Cafe De La Paix has been replaced by a book stores and restaurants.
