{"id":10273,"date":"2022-02-10T09:33:23","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T01:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=10273"},"modified":"2022-02-10T09:38:45","modified_gmt":"2022-02-10T01:38:45","slug":"saigon-landmarks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/saigon-landmarks\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Saigon Landmarks With Unexpected Pasts, From Turtle Lake To Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 Walking Street"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saigon landmarks with unexpected pasts<\/h2>\n
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H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City, or S\u00e0i G\u00f2n, has been populated for 400 years. Though much younger than <\/span>H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>\u0110\u00e0 N\u1eb5ng<\/span><\/a>, the city has been through many changes and developments. That\u2019s why many Saigon landmarks have interesting pasts that might surprise you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this piece, we have gathered<\/span> 7 popular landmarks in H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City<\/b> that might leave you in awe about what they were in the old days. Some details are collected from the book<\/span> S\u00e0i G\u00f2n Then & Now – Early 20th & 21st Century<\/span><\/i><\/a> (<\/span>S\u00e0i G\u00f2n Then & Now – S\u00e0i G\u00f2n Hai \u0110\u1ea7u Th\u1ebf K\u1ef7<\/span><\/i>).<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Turtle Lake – popular hangout place that used to be Saigon\u2019s first water tower<\/h3>\n
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\nWhat Turtle Lake looks like nowadays
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Ng\u01b0\u1eddi Lao \u0110\u1ed9ng<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

H\u1ed3 Con R\u00f9a (Turtle Lake) <\/b>is the unofficial name of an artificial lake in District 3. This is a common night hangout spot for teenagers, with lots of street food stalls and cafes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nAround the 1870s, on the site of Turtle Lake, once stood the first water tower of S\u00e0i G\u00f2n.
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Back in 1862, after the French had taken control of the city, they started replanning the area, making the appearance of colonial architecture across Saigon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1878, a water tower was built on the site of what is now Turtle Lake to provide water for the whole city. It was not until 1921 that the tower was destroyed because of its inability to meet the increasing water demand in the city. After that, at the same location, the French erected a monument honouring their martyrs in the First World War.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nLocals usually referred to this monument as C\u00f4ng tr\u01b0\u1eddng Ba h\u00ecnh (The Three-Figure Roundabout).
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

After the French left Vietnam, the South Vietnamese government knocked down the monument, then replaced it with a small lake in the 1960s. In this lake, there used to be a bronze turtle carrying a stele (stone slab) on its back <\/span>like<\/span> those in the Temple of Literature in H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i. Though the statue was no more, people still call the place Turtle Lake.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nThe turtle carrying the stele in the Turtle Lake. This statue was destroyed in the 1970s for unclear reasons.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Address: <\/span>C\u00f4ng tr\u01b0\u1eddng Qu\u1ed1c t\u1ebf (International Roundabout) connecting V\u00f5 V\u0103n T\u1ea7n, Ph\u1ea1m Ng\u1ecdc Th\u1ea1ch, Tr\u1ea7n Cao V\u00e2n Streets, Ward 6, District 3, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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2. Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 Walking Street – popular gathering place on the site of a bustling market canal<\/h3>\n
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\nNguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 Walking Street as seen from Bitexco Financial Tower<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Diego Delso\/ Wikipedia Commons<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 Walking Street<\/b> is among the most visited places in H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City. Actually, it was only recently transformed into a walking street in 2015. Previously, it was a crowded street stretching from the City Hall to B\u1ea1ch \u0110\u1eb1ng Wharf.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nLocal people often called this canal Kinh L\u1edbn (The Grand Canal). As this picture was taken in the 1880s, the City Hall was not there yet, but you can see the top of the newly completed Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral on the horizon.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Originally, Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 Street was a canal excavated at Emperor Gia Long\u2019s behest to bring water from the S\u00e0i G\u00f2n River to smaller moats around Turtle Citadel, which was razed to the ground in 1835.<\/span><\/p>\n

At that time, people gathered along the two banks of this canal to exchange goods. This canal was not only adjacent to the S\u00e0i G\u00f2n River but also linked to T\u00e0u H\u1ee7 and B\u1ebfn Ngh\u00e9 Canals, where Chinese-Vietnamese merchants prospered. That\u2019s why the canal became a crowded marketplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nThe canal was filled up and turned into Boulevard Charner. This was how the boulevard looked in the 1930s.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In 1887, the French made the bold move of filling the canal and turning it into a broad boulevard named Charner. A city hall was also built on one end of the boulevard. It was not until 1956 that the boulevard got its current name.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address: <\/span>Nguy\u00ea\u0303n Hu\u00ea\u0323 Street, B\u1ebfn Ngh\u00e9 Ward, District 1, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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3. General Sciences Library of H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City – a notorious prison during French rule<\/h3>\n
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\nThe General Sciences Library of H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span>B\u00f9i Th\u1ee5y \u0110\u00e0o Nguy\u00ean\/ Wikimedia Commons<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

With 16 floors storing 500,000 titles and 300,000 newspapers and magazines, the <\/span>General Sciences Library of H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City<\/b> is a great choice for any book lover in the city. However, even regular readers at this library may be surprised at the fact that this site used to be a scary prison.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nThe road in front of the General Sciences Library of H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City\u2019s present location is named after L\u00fd T\u1ef1 Tr\u1ecdng, who was imprisoned and executed in the Maison Centrale.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Back in 1886, the French colonial government kickstarted the construction of the Maison Centrale (French for Central Prison), also known as Kh\u00e1m L\u1edbn among the Vietnamese. The building was completed in 1890. The prison also had a guillotine for early morning executions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Though building a prison in the city centre seemed unusual, the Maison Centrale was actually opposite the City Court, making it easier for the French to escort prisoners <\/span>between the two buildings.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nA South Vietnamese postcard with a drawing of the National Library.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

After many historical events, the prison was completely demolished under the South Vietnamese regime to make room for \u0110\u1ea1i h\u1ecdc V\u0103n khoa S\u00e0i G\u00f2n (Saigon Faculty of Arts). In 1963, the institution was moved to a new location. This location became the site for the National Library. From 1975, it was renamed the General Sciences Library of H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/b>69 L\u00fd T\u1ef1 Tr\u1ecdng Street, B\u1ebfn Th\u00e0nh Ward, District 1, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City Stock Exchange – from the Commercial Chamber to the seat of the South Vietnamese Senate<\/h3>\n
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\nH\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City Stock Exchange<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span>S\u00e0i G\u00f2n \u0110\u1ea7u T\u01b0<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City Stock Exchange<\/b> is situated on the beautiful street of V\u00f5 V\u0103n Ki\u1ec7t, looking out T\u00e0u H\u1ee7 Canal. You can easily recognise it thanks to a statue of a water buffalo wrestling with a bear in front of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nThis Chambre de Commerce was the second commercial chamber in Saigon. A smaller one had been built at what is now M\u00ea Linh Roundabout.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This place was among the first palace buildings in southern Vietnam. It was first mentioned in official records on 5th June 1934 by the name of Chambre de Commerce (Commercial Chamber). <\/span><\/p>\n

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\n<\/span>There used to be a statue of An D\u01b0\u01a1ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng, a Vietnamese ancient king, in front of the Di\u00ean H\u1ed3ng Hall. This statue is now exhibited in H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City Museum of Fine Arts.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It was the<\/span> center of the city\u2019s trading activities<\/span> until 29th June 1957, when it was renamed H\u1ed9i tr\u01b0\u1eddng Di\u00ean H\u1ed3ng<\/span> (Di\u00ean H\u1ed3ng Hall) under the South Vietnamese regime. From 1967 to 1975, it also functioned as the Senate\u2019s building.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From 1975, it became the stock exchange. You can spot it in the opening scene of Francis Ford Coppola\u2019s movie <\/span>Apocalypse Now<\/span><\/i> (1979).<\/span><\/p>\n

Address: <\/span>16 V\u00f5 V\u0103n Ki\u1ec7t Street, Nguy\u1ec5n Th\u00e1i B\u00ecnh Ward, District 1, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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5. Saigon Opera House – once the seat of the South Vietnamese House of Representatives<\/h3>\n
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\nSaigon Opera House as it is today<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Ekrem Canli \/ Wikimedia Commons<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Situated on Lam S\u01a1n Roundabout and adjacent to remarkable hotels like Caravelle and Continentale, the<\/span> S\u00e0i G\u00f2n Opera House <\/b>is a frequently visited place in H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City. Apart from its <\/span>classical aesthetics<\/span>, this building also has a significant historical background.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThe original Municipal Theatre looked ornate with murals, reliefs, and caryatids. This theatre and the Garnier Square in front of it served as the location for the climax of Graham Greene\u2019s novel <\/span>The Quiet American<\/span>.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In 1863<\/span>, they invited a group of musicians to perform at the Place de l’Horloge whose location is now known as the Nguy\u1ec5n Du – \u0110\u1ed3ng Kh\u1edfi Corner. Soon, a temporary theatre was built there, near the Caravelle Hotel. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>In 1898, a new theatre was built on this site and was completed in 1900. Heavily influenced by Neo-Baroque architecture, the facade of this theatre was similar to that of the Petit Palais in Paris.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nUnder the South Vietnamese regime, the building gave an Art Deco impression, which was much cleaner than its original look.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n

In 1955, the South Vietnamese government restored the theatre after it had been damaged by aerial attacks. It was then used as the building of the House of Representatives. Through the years, many reliefs and decorations, especially the Art Nouveau mural under the dome, were removed or covered, giving the theatre an Art Deco appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n

After 1975, it became a theatre again. On the 300th anniversary of this theatre in 1998, some decorations on the facade were also restored to match the original designs. <\/span>You can take a look at the upcoming shows of this theatre on the <\/span>official website<\/span><\/a> of the H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City Ballet and Symphony Orchestra, and visit it for yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address: <\/span>7 Lam S\u01a1n Roundabout, B\u1ebfn Ngh\u00e9 Ward, District 1, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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6. Sun Wah Tower – once the site of the first church in Saigon<\/h3>\n
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\nAt the time of completion, the Sun Wah Tower used to be the highest building in Vietnam. The clock roundabout in front of it has been removed to make room for musical fountains.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Diego Delso\/Wikimedia Commons<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

At the corner of Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 and M\u1ea1c Th\u1ecb B\u01b0\u1edfi Streets, you can spot the 25-storey <\/span>Sun Wah Tower<\/b>.\u00a0 Before it was completed in 1995, this site had been the location of the <\/span>La Justice de Paix<\/span><\/i> (The Reconciliation Court).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the early 1990s, the French government used to have a guillotine in front of this court to execute prisoners publicly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nA public execution in front of the Reconciliation Court. The guillotine was placed at what is now the musical fountains on Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 Street.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Back in the 19th century, when the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral and The Reconciliation Court were yet to be built, the first church in Cochinchina was built on this site.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nThe inauguration of the first church of Saigon.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Today, the Sun Wah Tower is a high-rise building in which many companies such as Citibank, Maybank, and Emirates place their branch offices.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address: <\/span><\/strong>115 Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 Street, B\u1ebfn Ngh\u00e9 Ward, District 1, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City<\/p>\n

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7. War Remnants Museum – the birthplace of a Vietnamese emperor<\/h3>\n
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\"\"
\nWar Remnants Museum today<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> VOV World<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The <\/span>War Remnants Museum<\/b><\/a> is located on V\u00f5 V\u0103n T\u1ea7n Street in District 1, which is only about one kilometre from the <\/span>Independence Palace<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> With more than 20,000 artefacts, this museum specializes in reflecting the history of war terrors and damage. However, you may not believe that this site of this museum was where a Vietnamese emperor was born.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThere is almost nothing left from Kh\u1ea3i T\u01b0\u1eddng Pagoda except this picture. When the French attacked the city in 1859, they formed a defence line across pagodas. Kh\u1ea3i T\u01b0\u1eddng Pagoda was occupied and renamed Pagode Barb\u00e9 (or Barbet).<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> manhhai<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

As mentioned in the Nguy\u1ec5n Dynasty’s official records, around 1790, Nguy\u1ec5n \u00c1nh (later known as Emperor Gia Long), together with his troops, fled to this city to escape the chase of<\/span> the opposing T\u00e2y S\u01a1n forces.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nguy\u1ec5n \u00c1nh and his men stayed in T\u1eeb \u00c2n Pagoda, that locals speculate to have been located in present-day Tao \u0110\u00e0n Park before it was burned down by the French, while his concubines sheltered in Kh\u1ea3i T\u01b0\u1eddng Pagoda.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1791, one of his <\/span>concubines <\/span>gave birth to a boy named Nguy\u1ec5n Ph\u00fac \u0110\u1ea3m in Kh\u1ea3i T\u01b0\u1eddng Pagoda. This boy grew up and took up his father\u2019s position to become Emperor Minh M\u1ea1ng – the second ruler of the Nguy\u1ec5n Dynasty. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>To commemorate his birth in Kh\u1ea3i T\u01b0\u1eddng Pagoda<\/span>, the Emperor Minh M\u1ea1ng<\/span> had the pagoda renovated with the government\u2019s budget. <\/span>He even offered Kh\u1ea3i T\u01b0\u1eddng Pagoda with an big illuminated Buddha statue.<\/span> Though the pagoda was <\/span>demolished in 188<\/span>0, you can still admire this statue in the History Museum of H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address: <\/span>28 V\u00f5 V\u0103n T\u1ea7n Street, Ward 6, District 3, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City landmarks with interesting pasts<\/h3>\n
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These 7 landmarks are popular attractions\u00a0 in H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City. Now that you have a better insight into their history, your next visits to these places will be a lot more meaningful and memorable.<\/span><\/p>\n

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