Progress over heritage in HCM City

Demolition work on the Saigon Tax Trade Centre, built by the French 135 years ago, began on October 12 in HCM City to make way for a 40-storey office and hotel tower and the first metro subway route.

Construction on the new building, the Saigon Tax Plaza, will begin early next year.

The building will be linked to the city’s first metro line which runs between B e n Th a nh market in District 1 to ​Suoi Tien Park in T​hu Duc District, slated to be completed by 2020.

The Saigon Tax Plaza. (VNA)
The Saigon Tax Plaza. (VNA)

Doan Hoai Minh, Deputy Director of Saigon Trading Company (Satra), investor of the project, said the multi-functional building, which has six basements and a helipad, will provide shopping, office and hotel services.

In late 2014, the city approved a proposal from the city’s Architecture Department to preserve the main lobby, the grand staircase and its bronze railings, according to Minh.

These parts have been removed over the past three months.

Minh said the existing mosaic tiles in the lobby would be removed and used for the new staircase.

According to city authorities, the new building will preserve the general image of the old building in order to be in harmony with nearby historic buildings, including the HCM City’s People’s Committee, the Rex Hotel and the Opera House.

The Saigon Tax Trade Centre was built in 1880 and has been renovated many times.

Some of the building’s interior elements, including the main lobby, mosaic tiled floor and the main staircase, have been well maintained since the 19th century.

Originally known as the Les Grands Magasins Charner, the 9,200-sq metre building opened in 1924 and became “the place to shop in Saigon”, Tim Doling, a historian based in HCM City, said on his blog Historic Vietnam.

Last renovated in 2003, the building retains many of its original interior features, notably its beautiful stairway and its decorative wrought iron railings, Doling said.

In 2010 the city approved a project to replace the building, with demolition planned for 2014.

But the plan has been postponed due to strong protest from the public. More than 300 architects, researchers and students signed a petition calling on the city to preserve parts of the iconic building.

Founded in 1880, Les Grands Magasins Charnier is one of many historic structures built during the French-colonial period, including Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office and HCM City City Hall.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

To accelerate the implementation of the the Ethnic Affairs Strategy by 2030, with a vision toward 2045, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of State management and strengthening oversight of policy implementation.

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

The team examined the APEC 2027 Convention Centre, where main conference activities are scheduled; Sun Serenia Hospital, designated to provide healthcare and emergency medical services for delegates; provincial road DT.975, which connects Phu Quoc International Airport to the convention centre; and the area surrounding Phu Quoc International Airport.

Hanoi accelerates seven Red River bridge projects, many exceed 70% completion

Hanoi accelerates seven Red River bridge projects, many exceed 70% completion

According to the municipal Transport Construction Investment Project Management Board, the city is simultaneously implementing seven projects, namely Tu Lien, Ngoc Hoi, Tran Hung Dao, Thuong Cat, Van Phuc, Hong Ha and Me So bridges. Construction is being carried out on multiple fronts, focusing on bored piles, pile caps, piers and superstructure works.

Dien Bien battlefield legacy powers tourism revival

Dien Bien battlefield legacy powers tourism revival

Seventy-two years after the Dien Bien Phu Victory, its legacy still reverberates. The unity, self-reliance, and resilience forged in that historic triumph remain a powerful internal engine, now propelling Dien Bien toward fast and sustainable development.

Hanoi accelerates shift to green buses, targets 100% by 2030

Hanoi accelerates shift to green buses, targets 100% by 2030

In the 2027–2030 period, the city will accelerate the transition towards the complete phase-out of fossil fuel-powered buses. The share of electric and green energy-fueled buses is projected to reach 79–89% by 2029 and 100% by 2030.

36 fishermen safely rescued after boat breaks down near Truong Sa

36 fishermen safely rescued after boat breaks down near Truong Sa

At 8:00 the same day, KN475 began towing the disabled fishing boat toward Da Tay A island. The towing operation was carried out safely, and by 18:30 both the vessel and its crew had arrived at the island without incident, where repairs and additional support procedures were arranged.

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Held in response to the launch of the Vietnamese Language Day among overseas Vietnamese communities, the event aimed to enhance the quality of Vietnamese language teaching and learning in Laos while contributing to the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Held in response to the launch of the Vietnamese Language Day among overseas Vietnamese communities, the event aimed to enhance the quality of Vietnamese language teaching and learning in Laos while contributing to the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.

Hanoi launches 10 electric bus routes from April 1

Hanoi launches 10 electric bus routes from April 1

By the end of April, the number of buses using electricity and other green energy sources in the city is expected to reach 822, including 683 electric buses and 139 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, representing 42.1% of the total number of vehicles.