Dong Khoi Street

Name: Dong Khoi Street
Address: Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Description

Dong Khoi Street is located in District 1, a posh central urban district. It is over 600 meters long and runs from the intersection of Nguyen Du Street to Ton Duc Thang Street.

Dong Khoi Street in District 1 covers several city blocks and features old French architecture surrounded by modern skyscrapers, boutiques selling popular worldwide items, and cozy cafes and restaurants.

Despite its historical significance, Dong Khoi Street has seen various modifications. It was once the focus of power during French colonization and was known as Rue Catinat at the time. Dong Khoi Street is now the hub of business activity in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as a popular tourist destination.

Dong Khoi Street is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s busiest and most congested thoroughfares. This is one of the three streets in this city with the highest land prices, along with Le Loi and Nguyen Hue. It is also one of the city’s two primary business districts (the other is Nguyen Hue Street). This street is home to a large number of large restaurants, well-known hotels, opulent shopping malls, and popular stores…

On this street, three original French architectural works stand out: the Saigon Opera House, built in 1897 by French architect Ferret Eugene, the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, established by French colonists and built between 1863 and 1880, and the Saigon Central Post Office, designed and built by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. They are all well-known tourist attractions that attract millions of visitors each year.

Dong Khoi Street becomes the city’s strolling street during each festival due to the abundance of boutiques, shops, cafés, shopping malls, restaurants… that are convenient for day and night wandering.

Attractions In Dong Khoi Street

Dong Khoi Street is lined with numerous attractions. Everything from businesses to ancient structures may be found here.

Notre Dame Cathedral

This cathedral, built in 1986 to serve the requirements of Catholics performing Mass after the French colonialists took Saigon, is now regarded a symbol of Saigon. The architecture of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, which mixes modified Roman and Gothic styles, is separated into two main rooms, with the inside being a cathedral with a capacity of 1200 people.

Meanwhile, the external architectural space includes two bell towers, each with six bells: four on the right tower and two on the left tower. The clock set mounted to the front of the church was manufactured in Switzerland in 1887 and weighs more than a ton. The front campus is shaped like a cross, with four roads intersecting right in the middle, where the 4.6m high and 8 ton marble statue of Our Lady of Peace stands.

People’s Committee Building

The People’s Committee Building is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest and greatest specimens of French architecture. It’s easy to find, at the intersection of Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue Streets.

Originally known as the Hotel De’ Ville, the structure is now used as a government office and tourist attraction. The government building features distinctive architectural designs created by the renowned French architect Gardes.

Saigon Opera House

With a long history, the Saigon Opera House is not only a venue for art performances and big events, but it is also a popular tourist destination in Ho Chi Minh City.

The theater was constructed using white stone blocks and arched arches, as well as a system of gateways with high railings intended in the bold French classical style. The entrance door of the opera house was heavily influenced by the art of the Petit Palais Museum, which opened in France the same year.

The theater has a ground floor and two stories with a capacity of up to 1800 seats and is modernly designed with full sound and lighting equipment.

Vincom Center Dong Khoi

Aside from seeing distinctive architectural works, you should also see Vincom Dong Khoi, a building with three doors facing three major streets: Dong Khoi, Le Thanh Ton, and Ly Tu Trong. Vincom Dong Khoi owns Vietnam’s first energy-saving green architecture, which serves as an evaluation criterion for the world’s best architectural works.

This is also where you’ll find 250 domestic and international fashion companies including Karen Millen, Coast, Runway, Sisley, BCBG, Mango, and others. Not only that, but you can also enjoy many appealing foods with flavors from various areas and nations, as well as a diverse network of cafes, all of which contribute to Vincom Dong Khoi’s unique appeal.

Continental Hotel

After seeing the Saigon Opera House, simply exit the building and turn right to locate the old Continental Hotel. The edifice, which was constructed in the 1880s during French colonial control, is another example of well-preserved French architecture.

The Continental Hotel is very inexpensive, but make sure to reserve well in advance. The hotel boasts its own restaurant, and the staff is well-known for their friendliness.

Majestic Saigon

Majestic Saigon Hotel, one of the most well-known hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, is a 5-star establishment with about 500 rooms. Many renowned personalities, including the royal family, have stayed at the hotel, including: French President Mitterrand, Japanese Crown Prince Akishino, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Danish Crown Prince Henrik…

History of Dong Khoi Street

The street was originally named after the French warship Catinat, which took part in the mid-nineteenth-century attacks by France to seize control of Vietnam. The ship itself was named after Nicolas Catinat, a 17th and 18th century Marshal of France; however, the application of the name to a prominent roadway was intended to remind walkers of the first step toward colonial domination of a defeated nation by a colonial power. Visitors to Saigon will recall Tu Do Street before it became Dong Khoi, as it was known by the Vietnamese after the French left.