Heritage: The HCM City People’s Committee head office was painted in traditional colours last year when the Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Street was built. VNS Photo Văn Đạt

Viet Nam News

HCM CITY – HCM City has petitioned the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism to list its People’s Committee office as a national heritage site along with some other French-era buildings in the city.

The building at 86 Lê Thánh Tôn, District 1, was built between 1898 and 1909 based on the bell tower architecture from northern France.

Designed by Femand Gardès, it used to be the Hôtel de Ville de Saigon.

Though this elegant colonial building is not open to the public now, it remains very popular with tourists looking for photo opportunities.

Tourists can take photographs outside and many people choose to do so at night when the building and its grounds are lit up.

HCM City is the place with the most number of 100-year-old buildings in the country.

The list also includes Lê Quý Đôn High School, HCM City University of Fine Arts, Thông Tây Hội Communal House, Giác Lâm Pagoda, Bến Thành Market, Nhà Rồng Wharf, Notre Dame Cathedral, Labour Cultural Palace, Tân Định Church, Continental Hotel, HCM City Museum, HCM City Post Office, Chợ Quán Church, the Opera House, Cha Tam Church and Huyện Sỹ Church. -- VNS