POPULAR FRENCH-COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE IN SAIGON

Saigon - a dynamic and modern city, was once the center of Southeast Asia during the French colonial period. With the combination of French architecture and Vietnamese folk architecture, Saigon has proven its appeal through unique architectural works from the French colonial period. In this article, we will explore impressive buildings and learn how to implement unique architectural projects in Saigon.

Notre Dame Cathedral Project (01 Paris Commune, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)

History and architecture

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the extremely famous buildings during the French colonial period and has become one of the symbols in Saigon. Built in 1877, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is considered a symbol of architecture imbued with French culture, with splendid beauty but no less sophisticated. The building was renamed Notre Dame Cathedral, the official name is the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica, and was granted the status of Basilica in 1962.

The church was built in Gothic style with exquisite details and smooth lines. In front of the church is a statue of Our Lady of Peace, made in 1959, meticulously sculpted with a very meaningful image of the Virgin Mary's eyes looking up at the sky as if praying for peace.

Diverse materials: The church is made from stone, wood, and steel, creating a perfect combination of different materials.

Modern construction technology: Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the first projects in Saigon to apply modern construction technology such as bored piles and reinforced concrete floors.

Over the years, the church has gone through three renovations, and currently, the church is still under renovation so visitors can only look outside the church and visit the park in front of Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral (Confucius Park). Paris commune). Every evening in Saigon, the park in front of the church is a place for people to enjoy street cafes, chat, and look at the church.

City Theater Project (07 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)

History and architecture

The City Theater (also known as the Opera House) was built in 1897 and is one of the buildings with architecture from the French colonial period that has undergone many renovations but the theater still retains its bold character. Europe leaves a special mark on all tourists who visit. From the outside to the interior of the Theater, there are many reliefs and embossed statues. The theater has a total of 1800 seats including 1 ground floor and 2 upper floors. All decorative patterns, facade, and interior reliefs were drawn by a famous artist in France similar to those of theaters in France in the late 19th century, and sent from France.

The theater is made from stone, wood, and steel, creating a perfect combination of different materials with high aesthetics bearing the mark of European architecture that is both classic and modern.

The theater is an extremely special and famous place in the city named after Uncle Ho. Currently, the theater is still operating with many major artistic events held here such as classic musical and dance plays to Vietnamese music shows, award ceremonies, etc. Meanwhile, behind the theater is an extremely "hot" place selling peach tea to young people, often called "city theater peach tea" that tourists should try once when visiting this place.

Dragon House Project(No. 01 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ward 12, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City)

History and architecture

Formerly the headquarters of the shipping company Messageries Maritimes (from 1864-1955), built in mid-1863, it was one of the first buildings built by the French colonialists after conquering this land. Dragon House was built in a European architectural style with sophisticated details and rich patterns. There are 4 main areas: Ho Chi Minh Museum, Uncle Ho's Monument, the harbor campus, and the fountain. The museum area occupies more than 1,500 square meters.

Dragon House was built in a European architectural style with sophisticated details and rich patterns. The Dragon House is made from stone, wood, and steel, creating a perfect combination of different materials. To remember the event on June 5, 1911, Uncle Ho left to find a way to save the country, this architecture is retained as a historical relic, a memorial area for President Ho Chi Minh.

Tan Dinh Church Project (289 Hai Ba Trung, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City)

History and architecture

Tan Dinh Church was built in 1876 with a construction cost of about 15,000 Indochina silver coins. The building was built on an area of about 4,000 square meters, including a main cathedral and a 57-meter-high bell tower built in Gothic architectural style with columns, windows, and doors made from stone and wood.

Tan Dinh Church is not only a unique architectural work but also an important place in the Catholic community. The church often organizes volunteer activities that are beneficial to society and help those in need. Attracting all eyes when covered in a pink color combined with white to brighten up a street corner, anyone who passes by the church will surely have to turn their heads and look back and admire it. Attracting a lot of visitors to visit and worship, Tan Dinh Church has gradually become a place where many people "check in".

Fine Arts Museum Project(97A Pho Duc Chinh, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1)

History and architecture

This is a magnificent building that harmoniously combines Asian (Chinese) and European (French) architecture with the famous French Baroque architectural style of the early 20th century. With the main color tone being yellow-white, the entire area of the Museum campus is currently about 4,737m2, of which the display area is over 3,000m2. In 2012, the Museum was recognized as a city-level architectural and artistic relic. Currently, the museum displays nearly 4,000 works including round statues, reliefs, paintings... This is also a place where Saigon people, especially young people, often come to take artistic photos.

Unique architectural works in Saigon from the French colonial period are an indispensable part of the history and culture of this city. With the combination of French architecture and Vietnamese folk architecture, these works have created a special cultural heritage for Saigon. Rich in historical value and high aesthetics, they have become iconic places in Saigon.