AROUND THE WORLD
THE FRENCH HERITAGE OF VIETNAM
One of the peculiarities that we observe in our world is the diversity that we find, particularly on the Asian continent,when we visit a countrylike Vietnam
whose architectural heritage inherited from the French presence from 1858
to 1954 is magnificently preserved , testifying to its attraction alongside its
culture enhanced with history and French-speaking culture.
Located in the east of the Indochinese peninsula with a geographical configuration taking the form of an "S", Vietnam is
bordered in its western and eastern parts by the Gulf of Thailand and the China Sea parallel to its border areas with
China and further north with Tonkin or Bac Bo including the cities of Hanoi and Haiphong in the center with Annam or
Trung Bo and the cities of Hue and Da Nang and to the south Conchinchina or Nam Bo and its capital Ho Chi Minh
A large southern city formerly called Saigon, whose creation by the French dates back to February 1859, which we
called at the time the famous Indochina. Traveling through Vietnamese cities is enriching where you discover places of life and typical modes of transport in addition to their great architectural imbued with culture of French history as in the
north of the country in the city of Hanoi which is charming with its typical architecture witness to its rich historical past
with in particular an emblematic monument represented by the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh alongside beautiful French
colonial residences alongside replicas of famous French buildings such as the Saint Joseph Cathedral and the Opera House, built and inspired by the model of the Opéra Garnier in Paris.Another particularity that French architecture has
shaped in the Vietnamese landscape is the creativity and harmony in good balance with the culture of this jewel of the
Asian continent which is also found at the embassy of France which is pleasant to visit every year during
European
Heritage Days to admire its radiant villas located in the embassy park, including the one built in 1950 by General De
Lattre De Tassigny before exploring the streets of this shimmering city to also discover its hotels and restaurants,
including some were built during the colonial time and have retained welcoming terraces as in the time of French
Indochina knowing that it is mainly public buildings , hotels and restaurants which remain well preserved in parallel
with the restoration project of 1200 houses built during the years of French presence currently abandoned which have
just been listed on a list to safeguard the city's heritage.
Some Great Buildings Beautifully Preserved
Going down towards the south while admiring its particular geography made up of mountains and high plateaus which occupy two thirds of its territory which is interesting to observe in particular in its north-western part where we finds
the main peaks such as Phan Xi Pang which culminates up to 3143 meters in altitude in addition to the Phu Si Lung
integrating an identical configuration for a height of 3076 meters, a detour via the port of Haiphong which is the most
important seaport in North Vietnam and a pleasant harbour where you can see buildings dating from the French presence, rebuilt after the end of the Indochina War in 1954. Head towards Saigon, which is home to many beautifully
preserved colonial period properties and buildings still in use today which can be found in particular in Dong Khoi
Street , formely Catinat Street, which colonial houses buildings often inspired by French works, notably the very
imposing Central Post Office built under the direction of Gustave Eiffel, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera, the famous
Continental Hotel,the town hall and for book lovers the adorable "Rue des Livres" which is a delightful pedestrian street housing bookstores and second-hand book kiosks reminiscent of Parisian second-hand booksellers and the typical
riverside stalls of the Seine and these different living spaces steeped in history also represent a very close link between
generations against a backdrop of cultural dynamics that can also be found in the framework of Franco-Vietnamese
cooperation very present and active in the context of the French Speaking International Organization
as in the
initiatives and actions carried out in close collaboration with French institutions, cities and schools. With a climate of
tropical type in the south and subtropical in the north incorporating monsoons, Vietnam, country of rice fields drowned
under the sun and bamboo hedges embellished with fascinating encounters with inhabitants wearing sumptuous hats
conical is also a country representing the image of an eternal Asia miraculously preserved,authentic and great city that
fascinates with the beauty of its landscapes, the richness of its heritage and the serenity of its places.
Report: Gabriel PAGE
Photos Credit: Gabriel PAGE / Getty Images
