Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee is one of the most beautiful architectures and appealing tourist attractions in Saigon.
Table of Contents
History
It is constructed as a hotel named Hôtel de Ville de Saïgon from 1898 to 1909, designed by architect Femand Gardes.
From 1954 to 1975, it was named as Toa Do Chinh Saigon. It is known as Doc Ly Palace, Xa Tay Palace, or the City Council ‘s working office under the French colonial. The building was called Saigon City Hall from 1954 to 1975.
In 1975, it was renamed as Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee. Today, the construction functions as the headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee.
Architecture
Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee features well-preserved French colonial architecture in a spacious beautiful garden landscape. The inspired architectural work imitates bell towers in Northern France. The top of the building is the famous bell tower which is placed on a pyramid-like pedestal. The bell tower is adapted from Renaissance architecture, it is common to most European town halls. Two symmetrical roofs retain on two sides.
Highlights of the building include 3 embossing statues which are images of a woman and a child taming menageries and two other women with their swords in hand.
Although the building is strongly influenced by French architecture, it still evokes Vietnamese traditional decor which makes it collect all of the eastern light illuminating the corridors. Inspired by Vietnamese traditional architecture, the entrance into the building is semicircular.
Ho Chi Minh City Hall covers an area of 15 hectares, the facade of the building is 80 meters wide. The height of the building with basement, rooftop, and the flag tower is equivalent to a 5-story house. The building is home to over 200 rooms, large halls, wide corridors, majestic entrance and it can accommodate 800 people.
The design of the facade is a mix of different European architectural styles. The layouts are similar to Renaissance architectural works. It has Baroque and rococo exterior design style. Most of the characterized features of architectural style in the French Third Republic (1870 – 1940) are represented on the facade. These features include bell towers, flower wreaths, badges, etc.
The building has three towers, there are a sculpted beautiful woman and two children who overpower fierce animals on the middle one. On the left and right towers, there are two woman sculptures. Three sculptures are seen popularly on facades of City Halls in France. Sculptures on Ho Chi Minh City’s People Committee Building depicts Marianne who is a symbol of Republican France and represents freedom, equality and charity.
On the center bell tower (clock tower), there is a round clock.
Round clock and delicate ornaments.
The sculpted beautiful Marianne and two children who overpower fierce animals are on the facade of the middle tower. Similar to Samothrace – Goddess of Victory, Marianne wears a beautiful Phrygian costume. Two children overpowering animals represent the charity.
On the right tower, there is a sculpted Marianne of freedom, with a sword in her left hand and a stele with law on the other hand. The sword and stele represent righteousness. There is a dove on the Phrygian freedom hat. The cannon and the gun at her feet remind of the French Revolution. The topless Marianne is like Goddess of Freedom in Delacroix’s paintings.
Marianne of Equality wears laurel headband, holds a scroll on her hand. There is a lush olive leaf bunch behind her, a caduceus of Hermes – the symbol of medicine, a wheat bunch and a sickle at her foot.
Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has dozens of wooden louvered windows.
Besides sculptures and towers which are features of French architecture, the design of the building is inspired by Italian architecture. Because of a large number of ornaments and the mix of different styles, the building is usually compared to a woman wearing too much jewelry. Lines of Corinthian columns, which are three basic columns of Greece and Roman architectures, support the first floor. Arches make the first floor airy and ventilated.
There are five main arched entrances, the ten doors are made of wrought iron and have fanciful floral patterns. The side entrances are more simple and for vehicles to pass through and park in the courtyard.
White round pillars, yellow wall, sculpted woman and laurel leaves.
In the 1990s, a lighting system has been installed to illuminate the building at night. In 2005, lighting specialists from Lyon City designed and installed an artistic lighting system which makes the building more splendid and elegant when the sun goes down.
On this Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing Tour by Motorbike, Tracy’s team will show you lots of tourist attractions and brilliant gems in back alleys.
Nguyen Hue Street with the statue of President Ho Chi Minh and Lotus fountain
In front of the building, there is a beautiful spacious garden with flowers, greenery, the statue of Ho Chi Minh with children by the famous Vietnamese sculptor Diep Minh Chau.
The lotus flower fountain which was inaugurated on 1st November 2019 contributes to making Nguyen Hue Walking Street and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee more beautiful.
Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee looked from Nguyen Hue Street.
Green grass, green trees and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.
The beautiful lotus fountain on Nguyen Hue Street.
Nguyen Hue Walking Street, lotus fountain, Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee at 6:00 PM.
Statue of President Ho Chi Minh in front of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.
Location
Ho Chi Minh City Hall is located at 86 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 or 106 Nguyen Du Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1. It is in front of Nguyen Hue Walking Street lined with many famous hotels and restaurants.
It is a few walking minutes from:
- 1.4 km from Bitexco Financial Tower – the second highest building in Saigon and the economic icon of the city;
- 550 m from Rex Hotel with one of the amazing rooftop bars in the city;
- 650 m from Intercontinental Hotel – one of the most luxurious hotels in Ho Chi Minh;
- 800 m from Saigon Opera House with beautiful architecture – a place you can enjoy many amazing shows;
- 1.2 km from Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office – 2 other excellent examples of French-influenced architectures.
When to visit Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee?
Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee is not open to the public so that you can only walk around, admire its beauty from outside, take some great photos. Note that the building is stunning by day and at night so that 5:00 PM is the best time to visit this place. It is worth a visit to Ho Chi Minh City Hall – a beautiful architecture that blends French and Vietnamese architectures, modern and traditional architectures in the city.
Warmest Greetings To All from Tracy Do! Talented and experienced Tracy’s team offers VIETNAM TOURS and Vietnam travel services, especially Ho Chi Minh City Day Trips including HO CHI MINH MOTORBIKE TOUR, HO CHI MINH FOOD TOUR, MEKONG DELTA TOUR, CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR, HO CHI MINH TRANSFER SERVICE and SHORE EXCURSION. Let us have a chance to show you Vietnam to the fullest. If you have any questions about Vietnam including Vietnam tours, do not hesitate to contact me.
- Tel (Call/SMS/Whatsapp): (+84) 909190247
- Email: support@scootersaigontour.com
