Abstract: Catalogue, Location, Use and History of French Colonial Buildings in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Catalogue, Location, Use and History of French Colonial Buildings

in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Abstract

This study is a catalogue of existing French colonial buildings in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). It provides information about the location, use and history of the buildings that survived. The catalogue was compiled based on site visits to 65 streets of the urban core of Ho Chi Minh City. 1930 map of Saigon and some other historical documents were used to identify the iconic buildings of French Saigon. The site visits revealed the current uses of the buildings if they survived. Furthermore, the study listed many other colonial buildings that do not appear in the colonial maps, as they are mostly residential. Two main threats for the colonial buildings are found to be high-rise development pressure due to the rapid urbanization of Ho Chi Minh City, and gradual demolition of individual lots of large colonial buildings and their replacement by mid-rise modern buildings. The former is more apparent, while the latter is more undetected, as post-war housing policies led to the division of colonial buildings into various lots and distribution of them to various owners which are allowed to demolish their lots and build modern buildings. The study witnessed gradual demolitions as well as colonial buildings scheduled for demolition to be replaced by high-rises. By the current regulations, it is clear that the buildings will perish rapidly. Thus, this study provides a historical record that can be checked in the upcoming years for comparison. 

Keywords: Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, colonial architecture, colonialism, French architecture, urban heritage, historical conservation, urban history, history of urban planning.

Source: Gezgin,  U.B.  (2011/2017).  Catalogue,  Location,  Use  and  History  of  French  Colonial 

Buildings in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

CATALOGUE, LOCATION, USE AND HISTORY OF FRENCH COLONIAL BUILDINGS IN HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) Ulaş Başar Gezgin Table of Contents Abstract............................................................................................................................................ 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 2. The Streets of Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City..................................................................................... 3. Conclusion.................................................................................................................................... References........................................................................................................................................