Here, the first two towers of the impressive looking Kenton development stand in front of the completed Hoang Anh Gia Lia 3.
Aforementioned HAGL 3.
On the other side of the street is 'Dragon City'. An interesting complex of - I don't know what - town houses? They are certianly not the usual model for housing in Vietnam! This block of houses and apartments has the river behind it.
More of 'Dragon City' - literally 30 seconds beyond is the marshland of Nha Be.
Heading back over NVL and up into town, this portion of Nguyen Huu Tho is also being heavily developed - what was once a barren wasteland is being transformed into high end residential apartments and houses. It is called Sunrise City, opposite the Lotte Mart department store. Here is the progress of the main tower block.
The above picture shows the BiTexaco Tower in the background, and it is coming to dominate the Saigon skyline from all angles. From Cau Ong Lanh, looking over a section of East-West highway into D1.
From outside Ben Thanh market.
Looking down Dong Khoi from outside the opera house.
Another notable addition to the District 1 skyline, Vincom Center . This is looking down Ly Tu Trong, the museum of Ho Chi Minh City on the right hand side.
It all looks very grand as you come to the entrance, you could be in Singapore or KL. However, I'd really rather the coffee shop and small park was still there.
Talking of the total destruction of the character of this area, an entire city block will be raised between Le Loi, Dong Khoi and Le Thanh Ton, a block which housed the Eden shopping mall, Fahasa Book Store and most famously of all, Givral bakery. Thanh Nien laments the closure and relates the history of one of Saigon's city center favourites here. This block is adjacent to Vincom tower.
Looking down Dong Khoi, what used to be the main Saigon tourist office:
Looking down Le Loi from outside the opera house at the block ready for demolition. Another one bites the dust.
3 comments:
Shame about the Givrel. One of my first stops back in 1993. And I recall a description of it in The Quiet American." A real piece of Saigon history.
Great update.
I will miss that Eden block, my very helpful money exchange used to be there, don't know where they moved to. I could never afford Givral cakes so don't really care too much about that.
Vincom looks nice but like you I prefered the park.
Dragon city is coming on well although I have not made my mind up about the style, maybe it has to be seen in the flesh. I lot of high price units going to be ready soon, could be interesting.
with all the money gaining from exporting rice and fish sauce, I bet VN still doesn't have the dough and expertise to put up those buildings. chances are the buildings owned by foreign or investment companies.
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