Dong Khoi Street - 'Witness of history'

When the French colonialists came to Saigon in 1859, this street already existed and was named Catinat by the French (after a French general and French warship that participated in the attack on Saigon) in 1865. The street was renamed Tu Do in 1955 and Dong Khoi after 1975.

Đường Đồng Khởi - 'Chứng nhân lịch sử'- Ảnh 1. — Sketch by Architect Dang Tuan Anh

In the early 20th century, there were many Chinese and Indian shops on this street. The book Nam Ky phong tuc nhon vat dien ca (published in 1909, author Nguyen Lien Phong) described:

" Especially Catina Street ,

On both sides of the building, the streets are clearly defined...".

This street is also described in detail in the famous novel L'Amant ( The Lover , made into an Oscar-nominated film in 1993, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud). The author Marguerite Duras lived here for many years.

Đường Đồng Khởi - 'Chứng nhân lịch sử'- Ảnh 2. — Sketch by Architect Phan Dinh Trung

There are many famous buildings on this street. At the beginning of the street is the Majestic Hotel (still in operation today). Right at Lam Son Square now is the oldest luxury hotel in Vietnam Continental (inaugurated in 1880), the City Opera House (inaugurated in 1900), the Givral Cafe (a familiar meeting place for politicians , intellectuals and artists since the early 1950s), the Caravelle Hotel (headquarters of many international news agencies).

Đường Đồng Khởi - 'Chứng nhân lịch sử'- Ảnh 3. — Street corner view from Ho Chi Minh City Theater - sketch by architect Phan Dinh Trung

Đường Đồng Khởi - 'Chứng nhân lịch sử'- Ảnh 4. — Dong Khoi and Ngo Duc Ke corner - sketch by architect Tran Thai Nguyen

Đường Đồng Khởi - 'Chứng nhân lịch sử'- Ảnh 5. — Majestic Hotel at the beginning of Dong Khoi Street - sketch by architect Bui Hoang Bao

Đường Đồng Khởi - 'Chứng nhân lịch sử'- Ảnh 6. — Heritage buildings on Dong Khoi Street - sketches by architect Bui Hoang Bao

At the corner of Dong Khoi and Ho Huan Nghiep, in 1863, there was the headquarters of Denis Frères Company (one of the largest trading companies in Indochina during the French colonial period, exporting the first shipment of 250 tons of rice from Saigon to France).