Fun with Old Saigon Maps (1790)
Even before the French formally occupied Saigon in 1859, they were active players in Vietnamese politics as early as the 17th century. Their influence can be seen in this 1790 map in the form of the m...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Looking Up (1966)
This striking image was taken from above Saigon's streets in 1966. It's images like this that make one wonder where their subjects are today.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Umbrella for a Sunny Day (1966)
Just a beautiful picture captured on Saigon's streets in 1966.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Colorful Old Map of Saigon
Though we can't pinpoint the exact date for this map, we're sure it's from before 1954. This was the year when the French ceded control of Saigon and south Vietnam in accordance with the Geneva Accord...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Video: Saigon in 1945
1945 was a tumultuous year for Vietnam. After the Japanese were defeated by the Allies in 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnamese independence from France, unaware that Allied leaders had agreed at the ...
The Story of Saigon's Floating Hotel
There was a time, not too long ago, when Saigon wasn’t full of tourists and backpackers. In the late 1980s, Vietnam had just opened its doors to the west and was rushing to renovate its decrepit colon...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Cho Lon Opium Den
Have you ever been stuck in Saigon traffic and wished that you were on comfy couch in Cho Lon, chilling with some Chinese guys 'chasing the dragon' instead? Yeah, probably not (but for those who answe...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: How to Arrive at Your Wedding in Style
The tradition of covering your wedding car with flowers and regalia is not new in Vietnam. Today, most couples who can afford it, opt for a middle-of-the-line Toyota or Kia while those with deep pock...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Before Bridges and Tunnels
Think it's inconvenient having a car in present-day Saigon? As many of the French living in Saigon during the first half of the last century were fairly well off, they often brought with them the com...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Cho Lon Streetcars
From Cho Lon to Ben Thanh Market, streetcars were once a common sight on Saigon's main thoroughfares. While their tracks have long disappeared, their memory lives on in old photographs like the one a...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
10 Old Pictures of Saigon Cyclo Drivers
Even though Saigon has gone through many changes over the last century, there are certain characteristics of the city that have endured. Before the age of the motorbike, cyclos were one of the most c...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Water Delivery!
In the days before indoor plumbing and bottled water were the norm, like most of the world, Saigonese relied on wells to provide water (and in many areas still do). During the early 20th century, wat...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Colonial Corner
Just as it is today, Dong Khoi St. (formerly Rue Cantinat under the French and Tu Do from 1954 - 1975) has long been of Saigon's busiest and most important boulevards. Due to it's history, the street...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: City of Bikes
A slower mode of transportation for a slower time.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Chợ Bà Chiểu - Past & Present
Chợ Bà Chiểu, located on Bach Dang St., has been the central market for Binh Thanh District since 1942. While it's been upgraded and expanded numerous times, most recently in 1987, you can still...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Gánh Tàu Hủ (1926)
While I'm not the biggest fan of chè (Vietnamese sweet soup) in general, gánh tàu hủ (tofu with ginger, caramel and optional coconut milk) has a special place in my heart (even if it's not technically...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
The Story of Tan Son Nhat Airport
As the plan for Saigon's massive Long Thanh Airport moves forward (despite some objections), we thought we'd take a minute to look back at the long history of old standby, Tan Son Nhat.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: The Original Sửa Xe (1890s?)
Before the age of motorbikes, Saigon's streets were characterized by ox-drawn carts and horse-drawn carriages. And, just like motorbikes, everyday wear and tear would take their toll, requiering smal...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
The Story of Saigon’s Opium Refinery
Many of you have probably enjoyed a meal in the courtyard at 74 Hai Ba Trung, which currently houses a number of high-end restaurants such as Vasco’s, Hanayuki, Annz and The Refinery; the latter being...
12 Color Pictures of Saigon from Before WWII
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.
