People Committee Building

The 2-storey People’s Committee Building, one of the city’s most prominent landmarks and one of the most photographed buildings in Vietnam, is the home of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee. Formerly the Hôtel de Ville de Saïgon, it was designed in the French colonial style by famous French architect P. Gardes and was modelled after the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) of Paris.

Tower with Mansard roof

Built between 1901 and 1908, it was renamed as the People’s Committee Building after April 1975.  This building, noted for its beautiful gardens and ornate facade, is often referred to as the “Gingerbread House” due to the impressive exterior’s cream and white facade and ornate features. It has a main hall, rectangular wings and a central clock tower.

Segmental arch with statue of a woman, a child and 2 wild beasts

The central façade, flanked by two towers with red-tiled Mansard roofs, has broken segmental arches with statues.  In the middle is a statue of a standing woman and a child with two wild beasts while flanking it are statues of seated women with swords. There are also sculpted cornices and delicate bas-reliefs on the walls, a popular feature of French colonial style.

Segmental arch with statue of a seated woman with a sword

It was regrettable that tourists such as us as well as the general public weren’t allowed inside this working government building.  Only civil servants and cleaners are allowed.  Its elegant interior is said to be lit with crystal chandeliers.

The clock tower

Standing on a small, lovely park (with beautiful flowers, trees and a fountain) in front of the building is the iconic bronze statue of revolutionary leader and National Hero Ho Chi Minh, sitting and reading a book to a little girl, with a protective arm around her.  Called “Uncle Ho and Children,” it was made by artist Nguyen Minh Chau.

Bronze statue of Uncle Ho and Children

Too bad we also didn’t visit after dark as this extremely photogenic building, beautiful by day, is also stunning at night as it is spectacularly floodlit by colorful lights installed by engineers and artists from Lyon (France).

Jandy, the author, Violet and Osang

People’s Committee Building: 86 Le Thanh Ton St., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City