The French mansion is about to open its doors to the public.

According to information from the French Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, on the occasion of European Heritage Day, the French Residence (6 Le Duan Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) will open its doors to the public on September 20th.

A poster promoting European Heritage Day. Photo: FRENCH CONSULATE GENERAL IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Visitors will have the opportunity to admire a typical architectural work from the late 19th century, stroll under ancient trees, and enjoy French cuisine. This year, the event is expected to attract around 1,500 visitors.

The tour of the French Mansion, held as part of European Heritage Day, is always a highly anticipated event. Built in the late 19th century, this villa, with its distinctive Indochinese architecture, is an iconic landmark of Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors will have a digitized experience during the tour, exploring the history and anecdotes surrounding the mansion. For the first time, audio commentary will be introduced to enrich the visitor experience.

In addition, to celebrate the French-Vietnamese Year of Innovation, the French Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City will also organize a mini-exhibition of French inventions in its garden area. Each exhibit will be linked to stories of cooperation between France and Vietnam, ranging from culture, science, and healthcare to transportation.

1,500 registration slots will open on the Facebook page of the French Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on September 11th.

The French mansion was built by naval engineers in 1872, at the same time as other iconic buildings of old Saigon such as: Norodom Palace (1868-1873, now the Reunification Hall), Notre Dame Cathedral (1877-1880), City Post Office (1886-1891)...

In the reception area, now the venue for events at the French Consulate General, visitors can admire the harmoniously arranged furniture from the Nguyen Dynasty in Hue. The antiques here represent the decorative and spiritual art of Vietnam in the 19th and 20th centuries.

When mentioning the French Mansion, one cannot overlook its garden, which covers more than 1.5 hectares. The ancient trees here, some as old as the Mansion itself, are home to many animals such as civets, squirrels, chameleons, and several rare bird species.

European Heritage Day was initiated by the French Ministry of Culture and first took place in 1984. As part of this initiative, the public has the opportunity to visit buildings that are normally closed to visitors because they are used for other purposes (administrative, diplomatic, economic, etc.).

MINH CHAU

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dinh-thu-phap-sap-mo-cua-don-cong-chung-post812461.html