Symphony of history in the space of ancient Hanoi
In the gentle sunlight of a June afternoon, footage of the past comes alive at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi – where Charlie Chaplin stayed with his wife, actress Paulette Goddard, on their honeymoon in 1936.
Nearly a century later, the "king of comedy" returns in a special way. He becomes the central character in the exhibition space called "Charlie Chaplin: Memories of a Legend" with rare memorabilia from the collection of Australian collector - Paddy MacDonald.
Running from June 24 to July 22, 2025, the exhibition spans both the Heritage Wing and Opera Wing of the hotel, like a multi-scene film, leading viewers through intimate and grandiose slices of Charlie Chaplin’s artistic life. Rare memorabilia from movie posters, original music, to the top US TIME Magazine published on July 6, 1925... are all arranged as if he himself were telling his story, with images instead of dialogue.
Metropole Hanoi and the artistic return of "King of Comedy"
The entire collection was selected from the personal collection of Paddy MacDonald – an Australian collector who spent decades hunting for fragments of memories scattered around the world: from Ireland to Cuba, from Hollywood to Paris... Now, those "pieces of film" are reassembled in Hanoi, creating a complete art exhibition, not only of Charlie Chaplin but of an entire era of cinema.
Rare memorabilia from movie posters, original soundtracks, to the top US TIME Magazine publication published on July 6, 1925...
At the event, Mr. Paddy MacDonald shared about the enduring legacy of Charlie Chaplin and the pervasive role of culture, a value that he considered “a special mark of the Metropole Hanoi Hotel”. Quoting Chaplin, he emphasized: “Culture has a pervasive and profound impact beyond standards or theories on paper - culture creates heroes and builds inner strength”. That is also the reason he chose Metropole Hanoi as the next “screening room” for Chaplin’s memory - not because of its luxury, but because this is the place that welcomed him as a man in love, rather than a movie star.
Mr. Paddy MacDonald, collector from Australia (left)
Cinema becomes heritage
“Charlie Chaplin: Memories of a Legend” is not simply an exhibition, it is like a silent film, told through artifacts, light and space. Black and white photos, sad music, handwritten letters or magazine covers from the last century – all whisper about an era when cinema still had the shape of poetry and Chaplin was the greatest poet.
Mr. George Koumendakos, General Manager of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, shared: "This event is all the more special because this is the first time that part of Mr. MacDonald's precious collection is displayed in Asia. One of the suites in our Heritage Wing is named after Charlie Chaplin and this exhibition is a tribute to that meaningful connection."
Charlie Chaplin’s legacy at the Metropole Hanoi has a very unique mark. The Heritage Wing – where he once stayed, now houses the Charlie Chaplin Suite, a room on the 3rd floor, meticulously restored in late 2023. With natural wood floors, classic French furniture and a balcony overlooking the Toad Garden, this place is not only a place to relax but also recreates the romantic spirit of a golden age – like a vivid frame of cinematic memories. Built in 1901, the Heritage Wing was the first building of the hotel and continues to welcome heads of state, writers and artists from all over the world, including the King of Comedy Charles on his legendary honeymoon in 1936.
Coming to Metropole this season is not only to admire ancient Hanoi, but also to meet Chaplin again – not on the big screen, but in a very private “screening room” of memories, where the past becomes as close as breath.
The exhibition “Charlie Chaplin: Memories of a Legend” is open to the public from June 24 to July 22, 2025 at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel.
Image of Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard in the film "Modern Times" (1936)
Charlie Chaplin – remembering a legend in the heart of Hanoi
King of Comedy Charles Charles – icon of silent cinema and childhood memories of millions
The legendary Charlie Chaplin suite is located on the 3rd floor of the Heritage Wing of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel.
The new Heritage Wing will be fully renovated and upgraded in late 2023.
