With each passing day, Saigon's future becomes a bit more clear, and its past a bit more distant.
But fear not, for we've assembled a slideshow of colorized images from Saigon's colonial past.
While French colonialism (and in turn, American occupation) destroyed much of the country's social fabric, many of the buildings from this period are quite special from an architectural perspective.
Enjoy!
Before motorized transportation was the norm in Saigon, horse-drawn carts were used to move both goods and people.
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
The winter holidays can be difficult in Vietnam. Work and school routines combined with a dearth of decoration around every corner threaten to dampen the spirit of the special time. However, an easy d...
Success at the International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) can be measured according to many metrics. From IB DP test scores well above the world average to impressive academic careers post-graduat...
This Halloween season, travelers to Đà Nẵng are thrilled by the unexpected appearance of a giant pumpkin at the entrance of Da Nang International Terminal. Aiming to instill a pleasant surprise and co...
A meal that celebrates French and Korean cuisine and incorporates Vietnamese techniques served in a Phú Quốc restaurant designed in homage to 1920s American opulence? Such an outlandishly unique meal ...
In Sino-Vietnamese, Ninh means “peace, tranquility, and happiness,” while Vân means “cloud.” Together, they form "clouds of peace," which evoke a sense of calm freedom and gentle romance amidst the va...
