Can't recognize Ho Chi Minh City in 1980

Around the end of 1979, Dutch photographer Ab Stokvis and a group of volunteers, including journalists and medical experts, came to Vietnam to visit medical facilities and centers for orphans and homeless children. After spending time in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hue and Da Nang, his group arrived in Ho Chi Minh City in early 1980. At this time, it was still the subsidy period, there were not many foreign tourists and very few photos of Ho Chi Minh City. The typical architectural work is the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, built from 1902 to 1908. In front is a square, now the Nguyen Hue walking street.

The intersection of Ly Tu Trong - Dong Khoi (now part of Sai Gon ward) is crowded with people, the street name signs are still hand-painted. In 1980, bicycles were the most popular means of transport, it was easy to see people cycling to work in groups. Motorbikes were very rare, mainly Honda 67, Vespa, Lambretta, Mobylette left over from before 1975.

Scene in front of Ben Thanh market (now in Ben Thanh ward). The image of carts selling breakfast and fruits makes the morning atmosphere here bustling. At that time, Quach Thi Trang roundabout had not been built yet, it was still a cross-shaped intersection with old buildings and wide roads.

The corner of Le Loi - Nguyen Trung Truc - Nam Ky Khoi Nghia (now part of Saigon ward), in the middle is the International Tea Room before 1975. Photographer Stokvis once commented that the life of Ho Chi Minh City people at that time was still poor, but by 1986, the economy began to prosper. Since 1995, Ho Chi Minh City has been bustling with foreign tourists, the central area (Dong Khoi, Nguyen Hue, Bui Vien) is always bustling.

In 1980, 30/4 Street (now Le Duan Street) was bustling with traffic, rows of ancient trees on both sides of the road leading to the Reunification Palace were planted in straight lines. During the French period, this street was named Norodom, after 1955 it was changed to Thong Nhut.

Located at the corner of Le Loi - Dong Khoi Street (formerly Nguyen Hue Street), TAX shopping mall (high-class shopping mall) was built in modern Western architecture with a glass facade, but not as cumbersome as the old French architecture. Inside, the floor was paved with shiny tiles, the counters and shelves were neat. The floors displayed many goods that were rarely seen at that time such as clothes, shoes, household appliances, imported food. On the sidewalk in front of the shopping mall, there were still many street vendors. Currently, the shopping mall building is no longer bustling with business, but has become a cultural and exhibition space.

The view in front of Notre Dame Cathedral (left) and the Central Post Office (right) in 1980. It can be seen that the two buildings are still architecturally intact to this day. However, since 2017, the cathedral has undergone a large-scale restoration. The Central Post Office is still open to visitors, to send goods and mail. This building has the breath of late 19th-century European architecture with a clock hanging between the facade and the red tiled roof. Inside are many souvenir shops serving domestic and foreign tourists.

The City Theater was completed in 1900 and was considered the leading cultural and artistic center of Ho Chi Minh City at that time, facing Lam Son Square - a large square in front of the theater. The facade is impressive with many Corinthian columns, high arches, and ornate iron balconies. Inside, the large hall has a high ceiling, classic chandeliers, and upholstered wooden chairs. The sound and lighting system is still limited but suitable for performing music, dance, and drama in the 1980s and 1990s.

The corner of Tran Hung Dao and Nguyen Thai Hoc (now part of Saigon Ward) is always crowded. Bicycles and old buses run along the route during rush hour. Roadside shops are short of goods, many things have to be bought with coupons.

From Caravelle Hotel (formerly Doc Lap Hotel), looking down, you can see Jamia Al-Musulman Mosque, Dong Du Street, Dong Khoi - Mac Thi Buoi intersection, Bong Sen Hotel, Continental Palace Hotel and the whole view of Lam Son Square.