I’ve been on numerous trips to other “local government units” before, but I can count only with one hand the number of times I bothered to check out the “City Halls” of those cities. And even in those few ones, I went because we had to, not because I wanted to. (FYI, I work at a City Hall.) But I can’t say this one was intentional, too. It just so happened that, while walking around, we passed by what turned out to be the City Hall of Ho Chi Minh City.
Yes, pleasant accidents do happen. Stumbling upon a significant landmark unwittingly is like picking up a gem from a haystack. (Who cares for needles, anyway?)
Hôtel de Ville de Saïgon
That is the original name of this building when it was first built then completed in 1809. It goes by several other names, mainly Ho Chi Minh City Hall and Saigon City Hall.
But if we’re going with what the slate on the side of the building indicates, this is the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council People Committee building. Located at 86 Le Thanh Ton Street, District I, this is the seat of the city government of Ho Chi Minh.
That quaint yet charming-looking structure that I first mistook for a phone booth turns out to be a guardhouse. 🙂
How did we realize it, you ask? Because we were taking pictures right in front of the structure, then he stepped out and gestured to us that taking photos is not allowed.
So. Oops.
It’s a matter of security, I suppose. I just think it’s sad that taking photographs is not allowed when the building, which happens to be one of the city’s iconic landmarks, is so beautiful.
So, what did we do?
Crossed the street. And took photos from there, where the kindly guard couldn’t see us. I’m thinking I’m not breaking any security regulation from that distance.
Isn’t it just lovely? It’s designed by famed French architect Gardes, who modeled it to the City Hall of Paris, explaining the French colonial design. From a distance, it looks like a single building divided into three. There is a bell tower in the middle, with the Vietnam flag waving high and proud.
Unfortunately, this building is accessible only to civil servants and employees. Not visitors or tourists.
Right across the narrow street is a square park lined on all sides with low trees and shrubbery. The main point is the statue of the great man himself, Ho Chi Minh.
This statue is named “Uncle Ho and Children”, which makes me blink more than twice, since I am taking it literally and am looking for any signs of children around.
This statue was sculpted by Vietnamese artist, Nguyen Minh Chau, purposely as a tribute to the greatest Vietnamese leader, putting emphasis on his loving nature towards children.
Supposedly, this place is lit up at night, transforming this entire block. Unfortunately, we never got to witness that sight during our short stay in the City.
By the way, this area is said to be one of the most picturesque parts of the city, making it perfect for a walking tour. I won’t argue that, because it’s mainly a shopping and hotel area, with the buildings showing French influences.
Gotta give their urban planning a huge thumbs up.
I can picture this park used for gatherings, meetings (and trysts), or simple walks and strolls for couples and families.
If it’s the middle of summer, however, you don’t want to be caught defenseless in the middle of the park, because it’s gonna be scorching hot.
Let’s continue walking, shall we? (I still couldn’t get over how we practically made use of a hand-drawn map and did not get lost. XDD I suppose that’s largely because the streets are uncomplicated, not maze-like.
The Saigon Opera House
Remember us spotting the Hanoi Opera House on our walking tour? Well. Ho Chi Minh has its own version.
At a glance, though, I think the one in Hanoi is the bigger one.
Yes, it is called Saigon Opera House, but also known as the Municipal Theater of Ho Chi Minh City. (Which confuses me, seeing “municipal” and “city” in the same phrase. I suppose they have different concepts of local governance structure.)
Just like the Hanoi Opera House, this was not open to the public, unless there is a show going on. So we only got as far as the main doors, which were closed.
But no matter, just the facade was already a treat to the eyes!
It is definitely a fact that the Vietnamese are masters at preserving old buildings, because the Saigon Opera House dates back to 1898, when it was designed and built by another French architect, Eugene Ferret.
This time, he went for the flamboyant style, and that is clearly seen in the carvings and the statues on the main entrance.
Supposedly, the auditorium inside is shaped in an oval, boasts granite floors, and can seat up to 468 spectators. It is also apparently sound-proof, so you can make the most of your opera experience inside, with no fear of sounds of traffic outside causing some distraction. The sound-proofing was partly thanks to the double layers of the doors, as well as the construction of the base of the building set to be two meters higher than the ground level.
This was built in 1898, but it was only in 2012 that it was officially declared a National Relic.
Walking tours are not my “normal” thing when it comes to sightseeing. Mostly, I do it by having a specific site or area in mind, then going there directly. Walking tours, which basically entail walking partly aimlessly, party purposefully, and mostly leisurely, are rare in my books.
This one was a good stab at a walking tour, though, and I wouldn’t mind doing something similar to it again in my future travels.
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