An Ode to Nguyen Hue's Demolished Fountain

While Saigon’s collective memory seems to be pretty short, it wasn’t that long ago that the wide, low fountain intersecting Le Loi and Nguyen Hue streets still existed.

Though it took several different shapes throughout the years, the former roundabout which joined these streets was one of downtown Saigon’s most iconic intersections. Its two-tiered fountain and manicured plant life stood at the center of several of the city’s heritage buildings, surrounded by the Rex Hotel, Saigon’s Hotel de Ville, the Opera House and the historic Tax Trade Center.

In 2014, the city did away with Nguyen Hue’s fountain to clear space for its pedestrian-only street, now home to an abundance of free WiFi, selfies and too many rules. While the newer incarnation of Nguyen Hue is undoubtedly a popular gathering spot for Saigon residents, we still miss the old fountain which once stood in its place.

Below are a few images of the fountain, courtesy of Flickr guru manhhai, from the late 1960s. Though much has changed in Saigon, it seems the massive fountain and its surrounding area were also used back then as a place to meet and, occasionally, swim.