Ho Chi Minh City: Frenzy Frenchy 法国式的胡志明市

On 1st September 1858, under the orders of Napoleon III, the French bombarded and occupied the Vietnamese port of Tourane (Da Nang). Sailing south, Saigon was captured on 18th February 1859.

It was after World War II in 1945 that the Vietnamese forces launched several large scale attacks on the French forces. Finally defeated them at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu on 8th May 1954. Their defeat brought an end to the French rule in Vietnam.

Saigon was the capital of CohinChina (french colony of southern vietnam) from 1867 -1902 and later of the independent state of South Vietnam from 1955-1975. On 2nd july 1976, it was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City although Saigon is still commonly used.

The French's colonization marked a milestone in the history of Ho Chi Minh City that had earned the distinction of being named "Paris of the Orient". And its French colonial charm still remains and the legacy is now enjoy a Renaissance as the city's top tourist attractions. Ho Chi Minh City's list of French colonial masterpieces in chronological order:

Notre Dame Cathedral

Designed by a French architect, J. Bourad. Built between the years of 1877-1883 to establish a community and to provide religious service for the French colonists. All building materials for this Neo-Romanesque church were imported from France which included red bricks from Marseilles and stained glass windows from Chartres with a total cost of 2,500,000 French Francs (at that time price). It was called State Cathedral.

In 1895, two 190ft bell towers were added with six bronze bells. On 16th February 1959, then- Bishop of Saigon Joseph Pham Van Thien installed the statue of Our Lady of Peace, made of granite, ordered specially from Rome. The cathedral was since then called Notre-Dame Cathedral. 

Address: Han Thuyen Street, NE of the Reunification Palace

Open: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm (Tourist Service Mass: sunday 9:30am)

Hotel Continental Saigon

The first hotel in Vietnam, built in 1878 by Pierre Cazeau with the purpose to provide a French style of luxurious accomodation for French travelers. It was completed in 1880 and was named after the Hotel Continental in Paris.

The building remained unchanged and is carefully conserved to maintain its original architecture and French style of high ceilings, spacious rooms and large corridors. It has been featured in Hollywood movies "The Quiet American" and "Indonchine".

Address: 132-134 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, HCMC

Saigon Central Post Office

Built in 1886-1891, designed by Gustave Eiffel that resembles famous European buildings such as Paris' Les Halles or Milan's Galleria of the 19th century.

The central pavilion, with a huge clock and symmetrical extensions on both sides, adds to its beauty. Its giant interior still retains traces of the colonial past especially the 18th century vintage maps of Vietnam and Saigon on the side of the chamber. There is a giant portrait of Ho Chi Minh on the far end of the chamber. 

Its the biggest post office of Vietnam and is still a working post office, where you can buy souvenirs, postcards, stamps, send mails, use the ATM and telephones. Foreign money exchange is also available. 

   

Address: 2 Cong Xa Paris, District 1, HCMC (beside Notre Dame Cathedral)

Opening Hours: 7am to 8pm

Saigon Opera House 

Built in 1897, with similar designs to Petit Palais in Paris, the building was constructed under French architects, Ernest Guichard and Eugene Ferret as a classical opera house to entertain the French colonists. All planning and building materials were imported from France. It was named The Municipal Theatre. Notable changes through the years:

1944 - Was badly damaged, so the theatre stop functioning. 

1954 - A refugee shelter for French civilians after Vietnam was split into two halves.

1955 - Restored for the Lower House assembly of South Vietnam.

1975 - Functioned to its original purpose of use.

1998 - Restored by the municipal government with extensive renovations.

Today, Saigon Opera house becomes a theatre for a variety of performances - western classical, Vietnamese traditional, schools as well as other special events in three storey with a seating capacity of 1,800 people.

Address: At the intersection of Le Loi and Dong Khoi Street, District 1, HCMC.
Open: hours vary according to performance

Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee 

Designed by a famous French architect, Gardes. Built in 1902-1908 as Hotel de Ville de Saigon based on the original Hotel de Ville in Paris in charming cream and yellow hue colour. It was renamed as Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee in 1975 as being an official Vietnamese government building. 

An iconic statue of Ho Chi Minh in a lovely park is a symbol of Saigon. The park is a good spot for people watching and the building looks great at night; when the lights come on after sunset - like a majestic castle in the dark.

Address: 86 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, HCMC

Open: Daily (not open to public, view from exterior only)

Ben Thanh Market

Built in 1912-1914 to replace the old market (Les Halles Centrales) formed by street vendors near Saigon river which was destroyed by fire in 1870. The market was again heavily destroyed during World War II and was given a ravamp in 1950.  Although major  renovation took place from 1975-1985, the landmark symbol clock tower on the main entrance remained unchanged.

Ho Chi Minh city's most famous market where you can find almost everything with hundreds of stalls and vendors that quote a 50-100% higher prices to tourists. Take note that vendors are super sales experts and are armed with multilingual skills whereby you may end up holding the wolf by the ears.

Address: In the heart of District 1, HCMC

Open: Daily 6am-6pm (Daily Night market outside Ben Thanh: 7pm-12am)

The Rex Hotel

Built in 1927, as a two-storey auto dealership/garage complex named Bainier Auto Hall for european cars. Notable changes through the years from a auto hall to a five storey, 157 roomed famous luxury and business five star hotel:

1959 - Purchased by a Vietanamese couple who rebranded it as Rex Complex Hotel.   

1975 - Saigon Tourist Bureau took ownership and renamed Ben Thanh Hotel.

1986 - Was renamed The Rex Hotel.

Address: 141 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, District 1, HCMC.

Apart from the precious architecture heritage, the 95 years of French colonization has also created a great influence in Vietnam's food and social culture such as:

Baguette

The French bread is single serve, torpedo shaped, golden crusty and crunchy on the outside and airy cotton soft on the inside. Baguettes are sold almost every where or as baguette sandwich as well as other french pastries.

Coffee Culture

Coffee has become a major source of revenue for Vietnam and Vietnamese life's pleasure. Coffee culture not only lies in the drink but in the cafes. A classic French with a little Vietnamses twist.

All things coffee - beans, grounded, instant, filter kit are pretty much everywhere and you are never far from a cup of coffee or coffee aroma.