Nearly a century after honeymooning in Hanoi with his wife, actress Paulette Goddard, Charlie Chaplin is once again the talk of Vietnam’s capital. This time, the beloved silent film icon returns not in person, but in spirit—through a rare and evocative exhibition hosted by the very hotel where he once stayed.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, one of Asia’s most storied grand hotels, has unveiled “Charlie Chaplin: Echoes of a Legend,” a month-long exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of the legendary actor and filmmaker. The exhibition opened on June 24 and runs until July 22, filling the hotel’s Heritage Wing and Opera Wing lobbies with cinematic nostalgia.
Curated from the private collection of Australian collector Paddy Macdonald, the display features artifacts sourced from nearly 50 countries, including the U.S., France, Cuba, Ireland, and Australia. Among the standouts are vintage film posters, original sheet music dating back a century, and a prized July 6, 1925 edition of TIME Magazine, notable for making Chaplin the first actor ever to grace the magazine’s cover.
“This marks the very first time that part of Macdonald’s collection has been exhibited in Asia,” said George Koumendakos, General Manager of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. “We are truly honored that Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is its next destination.”
And it’s a fitting one. In 1936, at the height of his fame, Chaplin and Goddard stayed at the Metropole as part of a post-nuptial Asian tour. Today, the hotel pays tribute to that visit with the elegant Charlie Chaplin Suite, a romantic, classically styled room tucked within the meticulously restored Heritage Wing. With wood flooring, hand-tufted carpets, a dining table, and a balcony overlooking Con Coc Park, the suite exudes the same sense of old-world charm that defined Chaplin’s films.
Macdonald, who has spent decades collecting Chaplin memorabilia from across the globe, was on hand at the opening to share his passion for the actor’s legacy—and to reflect on the broader role of art and hospitality. “A hallmark of the Metropole Hanoi hotel is culture,” he said. Quoting Chaplin himself, Macdonald reminded attendees that: “Culture does more to change things than legislation or academic papers – it gives us heroes and helps us accumulate inner strength.”
The exhibition also comes on the heels of a significant milestone for the hotel. Earlier this year, Metropole Hanoi completed a 21-month restoration of its Heritage Wing, originally built in 1901. The redesign preserved the wing’s historic character while updating guest rooms with modern comforts, bespoke furniture, and advanced technology. It’s a thoughtful blend of past and present—just like the Chaplin tribute itself.
Throughout its 124-year history, the Metropole has hosted a who’s who of cultural and political luminaries—from Graham Greene and Somerset Maugham to Catherine Deneuve and François Mitterrand. Chaplin’s connection, however, remains one of the most iconic. The exhibition, more than a showcase of memorabilia, is a reminder of how enduring that legacy is.
In the words of the Little Tramp himself, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” At Metropole Hanoi this month, laughter, reverence, and cinematic magic fill the air once again.
For more information on the exhibition or to inquire about the Charlie Chaplin Suite, visit Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi directly. The exhibition is open daily to hotel guests and the public until July 22, 2025.
