The French Consulate General's residence in the center of Saigon, an ancient architectural work built in 1872, has opened its doors to the public as part of the "European Heritage Days" event. This is a rare opportunity to discover a part of French history and culture right in the heart of the city.
Once the residence of the military governor of Cochinchina, then the French ambassador's residence after 1954, and since 1975 the private residence of the French consuls general, this building quietly preserves historical memories and continues the diplomatic journey.
With an antique white background, green arches nearly 5 meters high surrounding the four sides of the mansion, creating the majestic and elegant look typical of French architecture.
On this occasion, the gate of the French Consulate General's residence opened, attracting a large number of architects, painters and French culture lovers to admire the Indochinese architectural imprint and ancient works of art.
Mr. Etienne Ranaivoson, Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City, directly introduced the spaces and artifacts associated with more than 150 years of history of the mansion.
In the corridor of the palace, many ceramic artifacts, some transferred from the Governor's Palace (today's Independence Palace) or donated by France, have attracted the attention of visitors.
The artifacts displayed in the mansion were crafted by Vietnamese artisans, including the oldest vase which is 160 years old.
The grand living room, the most important space of the mansion, once welcomed up to 80 guests and was the venue for many events. It displays Nguyen Dynasty-style furniture, with many precious artifacts from the Governor-General's Palace and the former Consulate in Da Nang .
Standing out in this space is a nearly 1,000-year-old Cham statue, a living testament to time and ancient sculpture.
The kitchen is accessed by a cast-iron spiral staircase that leads up to the roof, once part of a French Navy warship, a signature Eiffel-era feature.
Mr. Etienne Ranaivoson emphasized the significance of the event: "We are visiting a living building, still used for administrative activities. In France, many places such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters or the Elysée Palace are also open on European Heritage Day for the public to explore the life and work of politicians. This is the unique feature of heritage day."
He also added: "In Vietnam, the event has special significance, not only helping young people discover French heritage, but also inspiring ideas for studying abroad and exchange, creating a premise to strengthen Vietnam-France cooperation, especially in the fields of education and scientific research, which largely place expectations on the young generation."
Pham Thi Na, a student majoring in French Pedagogy, expressed her excitement: “I really like the rustic and simple French architectural spaces. Today, I have the opportunity to come here, I am very happy because I can expand my knowledge and have useful experiences.”
With over 150 years of existence, the French Consulate General's residence is not only a historical witness but also a cultural bridge between Vietnam and France, affirming the value of heritage preservation in the modern flow.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/nguoi-dan-tphcm-kham-pha-dinh-thu-co-hon-150-tuoi-trong-lanh-su-quan-phap-20250921025043176.htm
Comment (0)