Each era has left marks on Saigon, turning it into a unique patchwork.
1.
Up until 1954, Saigon had been the capital of French Indochina.
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To compete with British colonies, the French transformed this city into a commercial hub and a cultural center.
To date, many of these sites retain their original functions. Others have become museums or places of interest.
2.
Cho Lon has been the stronghold of ethnic Chinese in Saigon since the 17th century.
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All those buildings feature vivid colors and intricate decorations. They often possess open-to-sky courtyards as well.
A multifamily residential in Cho Lon.
3.
The years after France’s departure saw a surge in modernism in Saigon.
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Unlike architectures in the previous periods which are largely copied from the West, buildings in this era boast a local identity.
Architects incorporated traditional aesthetics into Western structure and at the same time adapted the designs to suit Saigon’s tropical climate.
4.
Saigon of the 21st century is dominated by highrises and skyscrapers.
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Gone were elaborate stuccos and intricate ornaments. Instead, sleek lines and curves, as well as free-form shapes are omnipresent.
The lotus-bulb-inspired Bitexco Tower which reaches 262 meters high.