Saigoneer

Back Heritage » Saigon » 16 Rare Photos Of Saigon And Cho Lon From 1866

After capturing Saigon in 1859, the French quickly got to work on building structures and infrastructure in the city, especially along the banks of the Saigon River.

While downtown Saigon was taking on a decidedly French look, Cho Lon was still dominated by Chinese traders who built homes, businesses and pagodas in the then separate town.

Related Articles:

- The Incredible History of Saigon’s Racetracks

- Fun With Old Maps: Saigon (1895)

- Video: Saigon in 1945

During this time, French photographer, Emile Gsell, visited the region, snapping some beautiful photos that give us a visual record of of Saigon and Cho Lon’s development in 1866.

Saigoneer in Saigon
10 YEARS AGO

10 Old Photos Of Carriages In Saigon

Before motorized transportation was the norm in Saigon, horse-drawn carts were used to move both goods and people.

in Saigon
11 YEARS AGO

10 Old Pictures (and History) of the Saigon Opera House

The Saigon Opera House (aka the Municipal Theatre) is one of Saigon’s oldest buildings and one of the city’s best examples of classical French architecture. Constructed at the turn of the 20th century...

Saigoneer in Saigon
11 YEARS AGO

10 Old Pictures of Advertisements in Saigon

Before 1975, large advertisements were commonplace in Saigon. But after the American War and the fall of capitalism in the South, ads were considered a vestige of the old order and were heavily regula...

Saigoneer in Saigon
11 YEARS AGO

10 Old Pictures of Art Deco Buildings in Saigon

Art deco is by far our favorite architectural style, one which luckily, Saigon has in spades. However, with each passing day, these buildings are being torn down to make way for modern structures whic...

Saigoneer in Saigon
10 YEARS AGO

10 Old Pictures of Cars in Saigon

Though cars have been present in the country since the turn of the 20th century, decades of war (1941 – 1975) and an economic stagnation (1975 – 1986) drastically reduced the number of automobiles in ...

Saigoneer in Saigon
11 YEARS AGO

10 Old Pictures of People in Saigon

We often look to old buildings in order reconnect with the past since they are clear and static reference points. Though useful, another important window into the past is the day-to-day lives of peopl...

Partner Content

Saigoneer in Resorts
9 DAYS AGO

How Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort Helps Nurture “Forever” Family Memories this Holiday Season

Our daily lives are consumed by routine obligations like work and school. While these necessities provide for many worthwhile experiences, long, far-flung vacations may be the optimal conditions to cr...

Saigoneer in Eat & Drink
11 DAYS AGO

Snow Falls in Zion Sky Lounge & Dining While Partiers Redefine Holiday Traditions

Have you ever wanted to establish a new Holiday tradition?

Saigoneer in Entertainment
12 DAYS AGO

A Dialogue Between Humanity and Nature Through the Duo Exhibition “Biophilia and Naturalis”

Amid the chaos of modern life and urban development, where humans are in constant, fast motion, nature is an important element to remind ourselves of and return to. In this duo exhibition by Patricia ...

Saigoneer in Eat & Drink
12 DAYS AGO

Pink Pearl Restaurant Prioritizes Sustainability with Vietnam’s First Michelin Green Star Restaurant

Sustainable gastronomy is amongst the most popular recent dining trends while traditional French cuisine is one of the most enduring restaurant experiences. The two are coming together on December 15 ...

Saigoneer in Resorts
14 DAYS AGO

A Palatial Path to Wellness at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai

Wellness is a word deeply entrenched in the hospitality industry with many resorts using it as a core element of their branding and services. But some resorts take it a step further. When implemented ...

Saigoneer in Resorts
17 DAYS AGO

Nature-Seeking Travelers Set Sights on Nha Trang’s Green Gem this Holiday Season

If you’re looking for tropical getaways to Vietnam’s central coast for this holiday season and include search engine terms like 5 Stars, Nature, Peaceful, Relaxing, and Exciting, one name will continu...