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A symphony of history in the space of ancient Hanoi.
In the gentle sunlight of a June afternoon, scenes from the past come alive at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi – where Charlie Chaplin stayed with his wife, actress Paulette Goddard, during their honeymoon in 1936.
Nearly a century later, "the king of comedy, Charlie Chaplin," returns in a special way. He becomes the central figure in an exhibition titled "Charlie Chaplin: Memories of a Legend," featuring rare memorabilia from the collection of Australian collector Paddy MacDonald.
Running from June 24th to July 22nd, 2025, the exhibition spans both the Heritage Wing and Opera Wing of the hotel, unfolding like a multi-scene film, guiding viewers through intimate and momentous glimpses into Charlie Chaplin's artistic life. Rare artifacts, from film posters and original sheet music to a July 6th, 1925 issue of TIME magazine, are all arranged as if he himself were telling his story, using images instead of dialogue.
Metropole Hanoi and the artistic return of "the king of comedy, Charlie Chaplin".
All the materials were selected from the personal collection of Paddy MacDonald – an Australian collector who spent decades tracking down scattered fragments of memory around the world: from Ireland to Cuba, from Hollywood to Paris... Now, these "pieces of film" are assembled in Hanoi, creating a complete art exhibition, not only of Charlie Chaplin but of an entire era of cinema.
Rare artifacts range from movie posters and original sheet music to a copy of TIME magazine, a leading publication in the United States, published on July 6, 1925...
At the event, Mr. Paddy MacDonald shared about Charlie Chaplin's enduring legacy and the pervasive role of culture, a value he considered a "special hallmark of the Metropole Hanoi Hotel." Quoting Chaplin, he emphasized: "Culture has a more profound and far-reaching impact than norms or theories on paper – culture creates heroes and fosters inner strength." That is also why he chose the Metropole Hanoi as the next "screening room" for Chaplin's memory – not for its luxury, but because it was where he was welcomed as a man in love, rather than a movie star.
Mr. Paddy MacDonald, a collector from Australia (on the left)
Cinema becomes a legacy.
“Charlie Chaplin: Memories of a Legend” is not simply an exhibition; it's like a silent film, told through artifacts, light, and space. Black and white photographs, melancholic music, handwritten letters, and magazine covers from the last century – all whisper about an era where cinema still bore the form of poetry, and Chaplin was the greatest poet.
George Koumendakos, General Manager of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, shared: "This event is especially significant because it marks the first time a portion of McDonald's valuable collection has been displayed in Asia. One of the suites in our Heritage Wing is named Charlie Chaplin, and this exhibition is a tribute to that meaningful connection."
Charlie Chaplin's legacy at the Metropole Hanoi bears a very unique mark. The Heritage Wing – where he once stayed – now houses the Charlie Chaplin Suite, located on the 3rd floor, meticulously restored in late 2023. With natural wood floors, classic French furnishings, and a balcony overlooking the Con Coc flower garden, it is not only a place of relaxation but also recreates the romantic spirit of a golden age – a vivid frame of cinematic memory. Built in 1901, the Heritage Wing was the hotel's first building and continues to welcome heads of state, writers, and artists from all over the world, including the legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin during his honeymoon in 1936.
Visiting Metropole this season is not only about admiring the ancient charm of Hanoi, but also about encountering Chaplin again – not on the big screen, but in a very private "screening room" of memory, where the past becomes as close as breath.
The exhibition “Charlie Chaplin: Memories of a Legend” is open to the public free of charge from June 24th to July 22nd, 2025 at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
Image of Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard in the film "Modern Times" (1936)
Charlie Chaplin – Recalling a legend in the heart of Hanoi
Charlie Chaplin – an icon of silent cinema and a cherished childhood memory for millions.
The legendary Charlie Chaplin Suite is located on the 3rd floor of the Heritage Wing at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
The Heritage Wing underwent a complete renovation and upgrade at the end of 2023.
