Tim Doling in Saigon
How Bách Tùng Diệp Became a Saigon Park From Earmarked Consulate Land
In 1927, after being abandoned for more than 60 years by its Spanish owners, the “Jardin d’Espagne” — known today as Bách Tùng Diệp or Lý Tự Trọng Park — seemed set to become the new home of the British Consulate General in Saigon… but it was not to be.
Grab a Cold One: The Thirsty Colonial History of Ice Production in Vietnam
Walking through Saigon nowadays, you will notice that ice is so omnipresent, it’s part of the scenery. From trà đá, cà phê sữa đá to sinh tố, every drink is consumed with ice in order to combat the intense heat. Before the French brought ice factories to Vietnam, in hot, tropical cities like Saigon, you wouldn’t expect to find ice. Controlling the cold chain is now an important part of our logistics, be it for healthcare or food storage, opening the door for any cuisine to expand with new ingredients. A few centuries ago, however, it was once a thriving business catering to French colonists.
Khôi Phạm in Vietnam
What Does the ‘Tower of Hanoi’ Puzzle Have to Do With Vietnam?
What is the Tower of Hanoi? While this official name might sound mysterious, if you’re an avid consumer of adventure media and role-playing games or just simply a curious former child, it’s likely that you’ve seen or even played this game without knowing what it’s called.
From Kiều's Snowy Skin to K-Beauty's Glow: Delving Into Vietnam's Love for Fair Skin
The preference for light skin is widespread in Vietnam. It is discernible from the mere sight of Saigon’s streets during the day, when the majority of riders are covered up — in hoodies, jackets, jeans, pants, and masks — for protection against UV radiation, but also to prevent tanning under the blistering sun. Especially more so for women, light skin is often associated with beauty and social status, so protection against the sun has become more than a health concern.
Tim Doling in Saigon
The History of Saigon General Hospital, the Clinic Funded by a Doctor's Generosity
The Saigon Hospital at 125 Lê Lợi was originally built in the late 1930s as the Polyclinique Dejean de la Bâtie. The French named it after French doctor Théodose Déjean de la Bâtie, who devoted his life to treating members of the Vietnamese community.
Tim Doling in Saigon
From WWI Monument to Ancestor Temple: The Story of Saigon's Hùng King Temple
The Hùng King Temple at 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm was originally built in 1927–1929 under the name Temple du Souvenir Annamite (Annamite Temple of remembrance), primarily to honor the memory of Vietnamese soldiers who died while fighting in World War I.
Tim Doling in Saigon
A Brief History of the Saigon-Mỹ Tho Line, Indochina’s First Railway
Inaugurated on July 20, 1885, the Saigon–Mỹ Tho line was the first railway line in French Indochina.
Wilbur's Vietnam: 1960s Saigon Through the Lens of a Famed National Geographic Editor
The 1960s witnessed an unprecedented influx of foreigners into Saigon and Vietnam. From soldiers to teachers to just intrepid shutterbugs, the visits of these camera-clutching characters resulted in a wealth of old photos taken in the city from the early 60s all the way until 1975.
After Failed Demolition Attempt, This 100-Year-Old Saigon Villa Is in Disrepair
Remember this beautiful century-old villa? It’s now largely a pile of rubble.
[Photos] 24 Photos of 1968-70 Saigon
How many iconic landmarks can you spot?
Tim Doling in Saigon
Saigon’s Famous Streets and Squares: Me Linh Square
The square known today as Quảng Trường Mê Linh has been home to five different monuments since its inception in the 1860s.
[Photos] The Glory of Hue in the Early 20th Century
Dated from 1928 to 1936, these rare black-and-white photos offer a glimpse into the opulence of Hue when it was still the capital of Vietnam and the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Vietnam
Street Cred: The Brothers From Tay Son
Flip through the history books and you’ll find a recurring character trait in many national heroes. From the Trung sisters to Ngo Quyen to Vo Thi Sau, Vietnamese history is full of badasses. While sev...
[Photos] 25 Rare Photos of Cho Lon in 1925
It’s fascinating to see how the Cho Lon area has been developing over the years from a mere trading hub in 1925 to an important center of Chinese heritage in today’s Saigon.
Emperor Bao Dai’s Rolex Just Became the World's Most Expensive Watch
Emperor Bao Dai’s Rolex made history this weekend as the most expensive watch ever sold at auction.
[Photos] A Black-and-White Look at Hoi An from 1930 -1950
It appears that flooding in Hoi An is a common phenomenon that dates back to at least the 1930s.
[Photos] 1969 Saigon: Snazzy Hairdos, Ao Dais and Vintage Cars Galore
In this collection of old photos, a brisk walk down Dong Khoi Street – known as Tu Do Street in 1969 – meant clean, empty sidewalks and stylish shopfronts, instead of a tourist circus like it is today...
[Photos] Tan Xa Palace: The Oldest Building in Saigon
The oldest building in Saigon is now over two centuries old.
[Photos] The Beauty of Vietnam's Landscapes in the Late 1940s
Through the eras, Vietnam has seen many drastic changes. Therefore, it’s always fascinating to come across photo archives from decades ago, when the majority of the country’s provinces were still larg...
[Video] Trading Places: The Story of 42 Nguyen Hue
With 42 Nguyen Hue facing an uncertain future, RICE and Saigoneer set out to share the stories of residents of one of Saigon's most popular "cafe-apartment" buildings.
[Photos] The Children of 1967 Vietnam
Some of these kids could be our moms and dads.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Vietnam
Street Cred: Duy Tan, The 8-Year-Old Emperor
When the French first enthroned Duy Tan, the youngest emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, their expectation was that a boy, at the ripe age of eight, would not take much interest in imperial rule.
[Photos] Life in 1973 Saigon - Part 2
Life in Saigon in the early 1970s wasn’t easy, but that didn’t stop the city’s residents from adopting a positive outlook and happy-go-lucky approach to living.
[Photos] Life in 1973 Saigon - Part 1
You will never be as cool as the ladies of Saigon in 1973.
[Photos] The Serene, Laid-Back Vibe of Hanoi in the Mid-1990s
Hanoi in the mid-1990s was a city of rich traditions and a laid-back lifestyle.
A 100-Year-Old French Villa Was Recently Bulldozed in Hue
You might want to sit down for this: a 100-year-old building in Hue has been bulldozed due to poor maintenance.
[Photos] The Sleepy, Small Town Vibes of Central Vietnam in the Early 1960s
Before it became the modern metropolis it is today, Da Nang used to be a sleepy fishing village.
[Photos] 1972 Saigon, a City of Style
Based on this collection of black-and-white snapshots, there’s no doubt that Saigon was – and still is – a city of style.
