Iconic symbols in one image: red plastic stool, motorbike, red flag/gold star ⭐️ Encapsulation of my daily life: Ca Phe Da, Tra Da, and a good book on the iPad at a street caféMy Com Tam Suon lady at lunchtime Alley Life
Tân Định Church, officially the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most iconic landmarks. Located on Hai Bà Trưng Street in District 3. ⛪️ Founded in 1876 during the French colonial period. It was established by Father Donatien Éveillard.
⛪️ It features a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architectural styles, highlighted by a 52.6-meter-tall bell tower. ⛪️ The church was originally painted in the yellow-and-white colors typical of French colonial buildings, it was repainted in its signature salmon-pink in 1957.
⛪️ Often called the “Pink Church,” it is the second-largest church in Ho Chi Minh City after the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica.
Top of a Temple35 Nguyễn Văn Tráng is one of the roughly 500 “old apartment buildings” (chung cư cũ) that define the architectural landscape of District 1.
1. Mid-Century Origins (1960s–1970s)
The building was constructed between 40 and 60 years ago, placing its origins in the era of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). At that time, Nguyễn Văn Tráng was part of a bustling residential and commercial zone near the Ben Thanh market.
• Design Philosophy: Unlike the ornate French colonial buildings, No. 35 reflects the modernist/brutalist leanings of that era—characterized by raw concrete, functional geometric lines, and open hallways designed to catch the breeze.
• The Materiality: It is noted for its “rough beauty,” featuring original đá rửa (washed stone) and traditional gạch bông (encaustic cement tiles) on the floors—materials that were once the standard for middle-class Saigonese living.
2. Post-1975 Transition
Following the events of 1975, many of these apartment buildings were reorganized. Large units were often subdivided into smaller residences to accommodate the city’s growing population. This created the “winding corridor” atmosphere you see today, where private life spills out into shared hallways with small kitchens and drying laundry.
3. The 2017 Revitalization
In 2017, the building gained a new life through the work of architect Nguyên Hạnh Nguyên.
• Preservation through Cleaning: Rather than tearing it down or covering it in modern panels, the team focused on deep-cleaning the old concrete and tiles.
• Contrast Architecture: They added glass elements to create a contrast between the “old rough” and “new smooth,” which made the building a magnet for the city’s creative community.
4. Present Day: A Creative Hub
Today, No. 35 is no longer just a residential block. It has become a vertical “hidden village” for Saigon’s youth and nomadic travelers:
• Hidden Cafes & Shops: It houses “secret” spots like Nhà Chung Cafe and the foreign language bookstore/cafe Pages of Passion.
• Nomadic Lodging: Higher floors are home to hostels and boutique stays like Onetel Saigon Panorama, offering a rooftop view of the skyline that contrasts sharply with the gritty, historical staircases.
It’s a great example of how Saigon’s history isn’t just found in museums, but in the layers of paint and concrete of the buildings where people still live, work, and drink coffee every day.
Travel Tip: If you head up to the higher floors, look for the original tile patterns; they are a direct link to the interior design trends of the 1960s Saigon middle class.
This is a building being constructed. Interesting style! I’m not sure what type of building it will be, commercial or residential, but I assume commercial. I’ll follow up on this once it’s completed, which is sooner than you think in Saigon. Political graffiti is rare in Saigon, but this one is especially poignant. A writer is equating the reunification day of Vietnam in 1975 to the state of Palestine in modern day.No one can carry as much on a motorbike than the Vietnamese. 🙇♀️ Bananas 🍌
Can you imagine driving that around the city? No problem for the Vietnamese…Turtle 🐢 Lake Roundabout before the rain 🌧️. Lotus 🪷 Monument.Sân khấu Sen Hồng (“Pink Lotus Stage”)
An outdoor performance venue sitting in the Khu B (Zone B) section of Công viên 23/9 (23 September Park) in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The park stretches between Lê Lai and Phạm Ngũ Lão streets, right beside the backpacker district of Bùi Viện and a short walk from Bến Thành Market. 🇻🇳Built 2013 🇻🇳Stopped operating in June 2019 and was then left empty. The shutdown was tied to a much larger plan: the city wants to redevelop the whole of 23/9 Park back into pure green space. After the park is fully rebuilt, the entire above-ground area is meant to serve its proper function as a green, water-feature park, with no exhibitions, fairs, or commercial activity permitted. It’s been 7 years, though. So, there’s no telling when this will happen.
Even red stools get to sit on blue chairs.A xích lô (pronounced roughly “sick-loh”)
A living piece of history. The cyclo was introduced to Saigon in 1939, during the French colonial period. For decades it served as a taxi, delivery vehicle, and even a family car for many residents.
“Dragon’s Eye” – a Longan fruit, a close cousin of the Lychee. Perfectly sweet.Men gathered at a café to watch the Netherlands vs. Morocco 2026 World Cup Match
