I purchased a set of postcards while in Saigon which includes some places I went and some I did not. These postcards offer an interesting glimpse into Saigon at the time I visited in 1995.
This Ho Chi Minh City postcard from 1995 captures the essence of Saigon during my visit for the 20th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, highlighting the historical and cultural sites I explored and the city’s blend of colonial, communist, and natural elements. As a keepsake from a time when few Americans visited Vietnam, this postcard serves as a tangible reminder of my journey to a city on the cusp of change. (April 30, 1995)This postcard features the Ho Chi Minh City Museum (formerly the Gia Long Palace) with a flame tree in the foreground, a scene that encapsulates the architectural and natural beauty of Saigon in the mid-1990s. The sign “TRƯỜNG MẪU GIÁO” (Kindergarten School) suggests the building’s use at the time the image was taken, though by 1995 it was primarily a museum. (April 30, 1995)This image is a postcard depicting a scene along the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with a focus on the riverfront and the bustling activity of boats and ships. The prominent building on the right side of the image is the former Saigon Tax Trade Center (Nhà Thuế Sài Gòn), a French colonial-era structure built in 1887, recognizable by its distinctive red and yellow facade with arched windows and a tiled roof. The building was originally used as a customs house during the French colonial period and later became a commercial center. The Saigon River, a vital waterway for trade and transportation, is filled with numerous boats and ships, ranging from small wooden vessels to larger cargo ships, reflecting the city’s role as a major port. (April 30, 1995)This image is a postcard featuring Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda, a prominent Buddhist temple in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The pagoda is recognizable by its distinctive seven-story tower with a pagoda-style roof, topped with a spire, which is a hallmark of its architecture. The sign “VIỆN BẢO TÀNG” above the entrance translates to “Museum Institute” in Vietnamese, indicating that this section of the pagoda may have been used for cultural or historical exhibitions at the time the image was taken. The image also shows people walking in the foreground, one holding a red umbrella, capturing a casual moment of daily life around the temple. (April 30, 1995)This image is a postcard depicting a street scene in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with the Ho Chi Minh City Hall (formerly the Saigon City Hall) prominently visible in the background. The City Hall, a French colonial-era building constructed between 1902 and 1908, is recognizable by its distinctive yellow facade, red-tiled roof, and central clock tower with a bell. The street in the foreground is Lê Lợi Boulevard, one of the main thoroughfares in central Saigon, lined with trees, shops, and vehicles, reflecting the bustling urban life of the city. The image captures a mix of older cars and vans, typical of the early 1990s, along with advertisements for brands like Citizen, indicating a growing commercial presence. (April 30, 1995)This image is a postcard depicting the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, also known as the Saigon Central Post Office, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The building is a prominent example of French colonial architecture, characterized by its yellow facade, red-tiled roof, arched windows, and ornate details. Designed by French architect Gustave Eiffel, who is also famous for the Eiffel Tower in Paris and completed in 1891, the Post Office is a well-known landmark in central Saigon. The image shows the building’s exterior with a group of people, possibly schoolchildren or a tour group, gathered in front, and a Vietnamese flag flying from the balcony. The surrounding greenery and large tree in the foreground add to the picturesque setting. (April 30, 1995)This image is a postcard depicting the Saigon Bridge (Cầu Sài Gòn) spanning the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was originally built in 1961 as part of infrastructure development during the South Vietnamese regime, with support from the United States as part of its military and economic aid to South Vietnam. The bridge was strategically important, connecting Saigon to the Bien Hoa Highway and facilitating access to military bases and industrial areas in the east, including the port of Cat Lai. During the Vietnam War, it was a key transportation route, often targeted by the Viet Cong due to its significance. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, the bridge continued to serve as a vital link under the communist government, supporting the city’s economic activities as Vietnam began its Đổi Mới reforms in 1986. (April 30, 1995)This image is a postcard depicting the Ho Chi Minh City Hall, also known as the Saigon City Hall or the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Headquarters, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The building is a prominent example of French colonial architecture, characterized by its yellow facade, red-tiled roof, and central clock tower with a bell. Constructed between 1902 and 1908 during French colonial rule, it originally served as the Hôtel de Ville de Saïgon and has since become a symbol of the city. The foreground features a well-maintained garden with a statue of a seated figure, likely a representation of a Vietnamese scholar or historical figure, surrounded by greenery and pathways. A Vietnamese flag flies above the entrance, reflecting the building’s role under the communist government in 1995. (April 30, 1995)This image is a postcard depicting the Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The market is recognizable by its distinctive arched entrance and the sign “CHỢ BẾN THÀNH PHỐ” above, which translates to “Ben Thanh Market City.” The building features a yellow facade with a large semi-circular window over the entrance, a design that blends French colonial influences with local architectural elements. The market is decorated with banners, flags, and red streamers, indicating a special event or celebration. (April 30, 1995)This image is a postcard depicting a serene scene along one of the many canals or rivers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, likely within the city’s outskirts or a nearby area in the Mekong Delta region. The image features a calm waterway reflecting the sky and surrounding greenery, with palm trees, flame trees and other tropical vegetation lining the banks. The Saigon River, where my hotel was located, is part of the broader network of waterways that connect the city to the Mekong Delta (April 30, 1995)
Videos Looking Back on the Fall of Saigon, April 30, 1975
