Saigon Tax Center throughout history

The Saigon Tax Trade Center, scheduled to close by late September, was first built in 1880.

The following photos show the evolution of the center throughout its 130-year run in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

What we now know as the Tax Center was built in 1880 by the French, who named it Les Grands Magazins Charner (GMC). FILE PHOTO

The building went up in the center of District 1--the heart of Saigon. FILE PHOTO

GMC traded luxury goods imported from England and France that catered to the urban rich and wealthy landlords from throughout the south. FILE PHOTO

The building, along with other French-colonial constructions like Ben Thanh Market, the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, the Central Post Office, the Saigon Opera House, helped win the city its reputation as the “Pearl of The Far East". FILE PHOTO

GMC’s owner decided to add an extra level to the top of the building. The neon sign that topped the building could be spotted from afar. FILE PHOTO

  

In the 1960s, GMS was renamed the Tax Trade Center. The center was split into a series of small stalls rented by various salesmen. FILE PHOTO

The intersection remained a bustling place throughout the war. FILE PHOTO

Many well-known brands entered the country at the time. FILE PHOTO

After 1975, the Tax mall was handed over to the city People’s Committee, the municipal administration. The center temporarily ceased to be a shopping center and instead became used as showroom for industrial machinery. In 1981, the People’s Committee intended to change the center into a “municipal shop of miscellaneous goods.” The shop, managed by the city’s trade department, became the largest commercial space in the country. FILE PHOTO

On January 19, 1998, the “Tax Trade Center” sign returned to the top of the building, marking the reappearance of a name familiar to old Saigoneers. FILE PHOTO

The Tax Trade Center received a major makeover that culminated in a grand reopening ceremony on April 26, 2003. FILE PHOTO

After occupying one of the most beautiful locations in the city for most of its history, the Tax mall will be torn down by late September to make way for the construction of a new skyscraper. Tran Thuy Lien, the center’s director, said that the five-story trade center in downtown Ho Chi Minh City will be replaced by a 40-story building on the same site.

(References)

Muslim Tours Vietnam

Some Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the Vietnam War and see guns, equipment, and vehicles from the era

2. Lose yourself at Ben Thanh Market marveling local handicrafts, textiles, and áo dài. It's a pulsating place, always busy; you'll feel its magic for sure!

3. Eat Pho - Vietname Noodles - and drink Vietnamese coffee at any one of the many pop-up cafes. It’s cheap and you just have to point to what you want

4. Take a cruise in the Mekong Delta for the timeless scenery of farmers planting rice in their paddies or to see its floating markets and lush green scenery

5. Tour Saigon on the back of a motorbike - it’s a great way to see the city and feel like a local

6. Get in touch Traditional Vietnamese Medicine or Thuoc Nam, influenced heavily by China. Hopefully you won't need it, but it's really interesting to know!

7. Crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels to get a sense of how the Viet Cong used to hide out during the war. Also, fire an AK-47 nearby!

8. Get inspired by the French: learn to cook French-influenced Vietnamese food or take in an opera at the Saigon opera house

Muslim Tours Vietnam

HO CHI MINH CITY – SHOPPING – MEKONG DELTA 3 DAYS – 2 NIGHTS

Day 1: ARRIVAL HO CHI MINH CITY (D)

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat international airport, you will be welcomed by your tour guide and transfer to the hotel for check in.

Muslim Mosque in Ho Chi Minh city center

Overnight in HCM CityThen you will do a short Saigon City tour to visit Ar-RahimMosque – built in 1885 by Malaysian-Indonesian Muslim, War remnants museum, formerly known as the Exhibition House of American War Crimes ~ a major tourist attraction which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phrase of the Vietnam War, with display outside the building of various U.S. military hardware like tanks, jets, helicopters and howitzers. Photos stop at Post Office, go shopping at Hard Rock Café for souvenirs T shirt, and visit China Town whole sale market (Cho Lon market) 

Day 2: HCM CITY – MEKONG DELTA (B, L, D)

Breakfast at hotel, then transfer to Mekong Delta (My Tho City) for Mekong cruise. The boat cruise will take you to the Unicorn Island to visit Bee farm, enjoy honey tea, visit home industry of coconut candy processing, local villagers with cheerful smile invite guests to sample taste of fresh fruits right in their orchards with Vietnamese folk music performance, then take sampan boat under the shadow of nipa palms along the tiny canals, return to the land for lunch in Mekong Halal restaurant.

Visit Mekong Delta by small boat

Then transfer back Sai Gon and go shopping at Hong Anh collection,Mai collection and Taka Plaza for Malaysia tradition costume (tekekung, tudung, jubah, blouse, bayukurung) free shopping in Ben Thanh market.

Day 3: HCMC – DEPARTURE (B)

Breakfast at hotel.

In the morning free shopping in Ben Thanh market. Then transfer to the airport for departure flight

END OF SERVICE.

Price in USD per passenger: (USD/Pax)

Group size (Adult)	2	3	4	5	6	7 – 9	10 – 14	15 – 29 + 1FOC	30 – 44 + 2FOC	SGL Supp
Deluxe three stars hotel good location	231	197	186	168	156	150	140	129	118	40