Visitors learn about HCM City and its people from a photo exhibition featuring Sai Gon and its history held on Book Street (Nguyen Van Binh St) in District 1. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) - Morethan 40 black-and-white and colour photos featuring Saigon and its history areon display at Book Street (Nguyen Van Binh Street) in HCM City’s District 1.
The photos are from collections of photographers and collectors Phuc Tien, VanPhung, Hieu Minh and Soh Weng Yew.
The photos of the city’s culture and lifestyle include images of old buildings,churches and markets.
“The photos are about Saigon and its people, who have worked hard to developtheir land,” said Nguyen Thai Bao, who visited the showcase last weekend.
“I enjoyed the photos of the Notre Dame Cathedral and Ben Thanh Market, two ofthe city’s most famous tourist destinations. These buildings are part of ourdaily life,” she said.
Notre Dame Cathedral, designed by French architect Jules Bourard, opened in1880.
All of the building’s materials were imported from France, including the redbricks from Marseille that make up the outside walls which still retain theircolour.
Ben Thanh Market began as a small market of street vendors near the Ben NgheRiver in the early 17th century. In 1859, it was established by the Frenchcolonialists after they took over Gia Dinh Citadel.
In 1912, the market was moved to a new building on a land of more than13,000sq.m located in District 1, where it still stands.
The market includes 3,000 stalls offering Vietnamese items, including food,garments, shoes and handicrafts.
For decades, both the church and the market have attracted hundreds of localresidents and foreign tourists each day.
“The images of the cathedral at the exhibition help us learn more about thechurch’s history and the city’s development,” said Rob Matthews, an Americanvisitor.
The cathedral is now closed for its first renovation.
The photo exhibition will end on September 2.-VNA
VNA
