Ho Chi Minh City Hall

For the Vietnamese, the visit of Saigon cannot end without stopping at this symbolic place of the city bearing the name of their eternal president. One of the city's most beautiful French-style buildings dating from the late 19th century, this place has become a popular destination, not only for its tourism value but also for its administrative significance. A totally worthy destination to visit while in Ho Chi Minh City.

The building houses the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, access is only possible for certain special cases. Visitors can browse through its gardens while admiring the elegance that radiates in Nguyen Hue Street in the heart of the city.

History of Ho Chi Minh City Hall

With their presence in Saigon, the French were planning to find a place to install the headquarters of the French Administration Committee in Indochina. The area of the large canals bordering the Saigon River and the current boulevard Charner or Nguyen Hue was the first to be taken into account. However, there was still concern about the problem of the foundation because it was a muddy area. Stakeholders did not agree on the implementation, so the Ho Chi Minh City Hall project remained on paper for years.

It was not until 1909 that the town hall of Saigon was inaugurated on the occasion of the celebration of 50 years of the establishment of the French government in Saigon (1859-1909), with the presence of the Governor-General of Indochina.

Opposite the building was a large garden, with benches and a roundabout where the concert of the French marine took place during important events.

The footprint of French architecture

Built between 1901 and 1909, the building was designed by Femand Gardès, but its exterior architecture was entrusted to Louis-Lucien Ruffier. Inspired by the Renaissance revival style, the building was characterised by pastel yellow and white walls, an elegant roof surmounted by a belfry, typical of northern France. There were particularly beautiful sculptures of women and children who dominated the evil beasts. If its facade was richly decorated, its interior was not behind with beautiful crystal chandeliers giving it a refined atmosphere.

Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee

For its inhabitants, the place is a testimony to a number of historical events such as the protest for the job of 1937 and the strike of 1950. The Ho Chi Minh City Hall had known so many eventful dates from generations, from the colonial period to the state of South Vietnam.

It was from the 30/04/1975, a historical day marking the national liberation, that the place hosted the municipal People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. As a cultural and historical symbol of the city, this beautiful building is to be ideally combined with a stroll along  Nguyen Hue flower street. It’s an unmissable activity for its inhabitants and visitors during festive events including New Year, Tet or New Year Vietnamese…

Do not forget to meet in the evening in front of the old Ho Chi Minh City Hall, a good idea to begin to contemplate its beauty.

Location

86 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe, District 1, at the end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Ho Chi Minh City.

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