Saigon-Cho Lon in 1947 Through A French Photographer's lens
A series of Saigon's photos in 1947 through the lens of French photographer Michel Huet are ones of Notre Dame Cathedral seen from the upper floor of the City Hall (Hôtel de ville), the scene of the hall in Cho Lon or a drug store.
Let's bring our mind back to the year of 1947 through some photos of Sai Gon-Cho Lon, taken by a French photographer Michel Huet.
In the photo, there is the Notre Dame Cathedral, the large building to the right is the Palace of the Interior Minister. The tile-roofed house in the picture is the Palace of Internal Affairs during the French colonial period. It was located at the corner of Dong Khoi-Ly Tu Trong today (Rue Catinat & LaGrandière). Before 1975, it was the headquarter of the Ministry of Economy, corner of Tu Do-Gia Long.
The view from the floor of the City Hall. Photo: Michel Huet.
The headquarters of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City is one of the classical architectural works in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). It was built between 1898 and 1909. During the French colonial period, this building was named Hôtel de ville in French or Dinh Xa Tay in Vietnamese. It used to be called Saigon City Hall because it was the working and meeting place of the capital's authorities. Since the unification of Vietnam, the building has been the working place of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the People's Council of Ho Chi Minh City, and a number of other agencies.
Notre Dame Cathedral was built in Saigon. The cathedral did not have two bell towers when built in 1880. They were added in 1985 to include a total of six large bronze bells and two crosses at the top, 60.5 m above ground. It used to the tallest building in the city for a long time.
The headquarters of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Michel Huet.
The current address of this building is on 86 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1. It is located at the beginning of Nguyen Hue Street facing the Saigon River. In 2020, this building was ranked by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam as a national architectural and artistic monument. There is also a design plan for a new building of the City People's Committee Headquarters.
Prime Minister Nguyen Van Tan's wife (dark-colored ao dai) and his daughter on the grounds of Gia Long Palace (Ho Chi Minh City Museum now). Photo: Michel Huet.
Nguyen Van Tam (16 October 1895–23 November 1990) served as Prime Minister of the State of Vietnam, a political entity created by the French in an attempt to regain control of the country. He held that office from June 1952 to December 1953.
A view from the Opera House to the right is the famous Continental Palace Hotel. Photo: Michel Huet.
The village at the foot of Mong bridge. Photo: Michel Huet.
The village at the foot of Mong bridge. Photo: Michel Huet.
In a Chinese assembly hall in Cho Lon in 1947. Photo: Michel Huet.
Members at the assembly hall. Photo: Michel Huet.
Tuong actresses in Cho Lon. Photo: Michel Huet.
Tuong actors in Cho Lon. Photo: Michel Huet.
Lion dance scene. Photo: Michel Huet.
A woman praying in the assembly hall. Photo: Michel Huet.
A man smoking a cigarette. Photo: Michel Huet.
The image of a charming Saigon woman on the sidewalk stalls. Photo: Michel Huet.
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The Party and State of Vietnam have been, are and will be determined to achieve the goal of ensuring and better protecting human rights on the basis of a rule-of-law state and socialist democracy under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, while contributing to the international community in resolving regional and global issues on human rights. Accordingly, it is necessary to well organize the implementation of the following basic contents and tasks.
General Secretary To Lam, in his recent articles and speeches, emphasized that Vietnam is at a pivotal moment, converging all advantages and strengths to usher the country into a new era of nation's rise. This new era follows the era of independence, freedom, building socialism, and innovation. The General Secretary has clearly outlined the foundations for setting goals and seizing historical opportunities to propel the country into this era of national growth.
Reflecting on the practical activities across historical periods helps evaluate the contributions and pivotal role of diplomacy in safeguarding the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, thereby drawing lessons and setting directions for the future.
Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralization of international relations remains a consistent stance of the Party and State. Amid the current trend of opening up and international integration, the Party and State have cleverly led and managed foreign affairs activities with flexibility and promptness, aligning with both domestic and international contexts. Recent successful foreign affairs events have significantly consolidated and elevated Vietnam's position and prestige on the international political stage. However, hostile forces propagate false arguments to distort the Party and State's viewpoints on foreign affairs.
Vietnam's steadfast and flexible diplomatic efforts have contributed to controlling and preventing conflicts, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development.
The history of Vietnam’s diplomacy is inseparable from the significant milestones in the nation’s journey of building and defending its homeland. Over nearly five decades since liberation, Vietnam’s foreign affairs have consistently accompanied the country in overcoming immense challenges.
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