History...
The current Saigon Station is only quite recent. An earlier station was situated right in the heart of Saigon in District 1, on one side of the main roundabout and opposite the Ben Thanh Market. The station and track was removed in the late 70's and is now a rather nice and very popular park. On one side is Pham Ngu Lao St., the main backpacker's area. It's interesting to note that the first station to be built for the new Saigon subway will be right under the park and called "Ben Thanh".
Above: Saigon Station on the left and opposite the Ben Thanh Market. The vehicles suggest that this was taken in the 1920's.
Above: A French era map showing the location of the original station (identified as "Central Market").
Above: For those who know Saigon, this map gives you a rough idea of the area taken up by the old station. Pham Ngu Lao St is at the bottom.
Above: "Le Gare de Saigon", Saigon station in the French era. Note what appear to be gas lamps on the platform.
Above: The station is on the left, the white fence and the station didn't seem to change much over the years.
Above: Saigon Station possibly in the late 40's or 50's judging by the motor vehicles. These images were found on the Life Magazine free image collection.
Above: Saigon station in the French era. Note 'cyclos' lined up outside.
Old Saigon Station in the 60's and 70's
Above: The station area looking towards the Ben Thanh roundabout. The building which I believe was originally the head office of the Indochina Railways can be seen at the top. It still exists. I'm not sure what it's used for these days.
Above: What appears to be the same building in 2011.
Above: Looking East towards the station buildings. The new US built boxcars are pretty obvious, but not a locomotive in sight.
Above: Looking towards the 'third platform' building and what appears to be a freight shed. Photo dated 1966.
Above: Two shots of the station area taken in the 1960's.
Above: This fascinating photo appears to show large numbers of the US built boxcars. Could they have just been delivered?Photo dated 1966.
Above: Looking east towards the 'platform 1" building. Photo dated 1970-71.
Above: Looking west. Note freight shed on the left and the garden.
Above: Passenger vehicles in 'Platform 1' with freight shed on the right. Photo dated 1970-71.
Above: It's 12.45 pm on the station's French made clock.
Above: The 'platform 1' station building. If you look carefully at the roof, it would appear that the original building was extended twice.
Above: In front of the station. Many of the earlier cyclos have been replaced by three wheel passenger vehicles sort of smaller versions of Filipino 'Jeepneys'.
New Station Site?
Above: This photo appears to show the site of what would become Saigon Station.
This
website is an attempt to present a collection of information and images
of trains and railways in Vietnam.
This is not the easiest task in the world as Vietnamese is not my first language (the Vietnamese language lessons I've been taking are still a work in progress) so I have to rely on English language data, and 'Google' Translations. The translations are often very odd so my apologies to those who wrote in the original Vietnamese.
Surprisingly since I started in late 2009, I've collected quite a bit of data and quite a few photos, though there are many ommissions.
I am particularly greatful to the members of the Vietnam railways Forum who knowingly or unknowingly allowed me to access their site and use material. Without the forum this site would be much poorer.
I apologize for any errors or omissions. They are all my own work.
This is not the easiest task in the world as Vietnamese is not my first language (the Vietnamese language lessons I've been taking are still a work in progress) so I have to rely on English language data, and 'Google' Translations. The translations are often very odd so my apologies to those who wrote in the original Vietnamese.
Surprisingly since I started in late 2009, I've collected quite a bit of data and quite a few photos, though there are many ommissions.
I am particularly greatful to the members of the Vietnam railways Forum who knowingly or unknowingly allowed me to access their site and use material. Without the forum this site would be much poorer.
I apologize for any errors or omissions. They are all my own work.
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Railways in Vietnam
website © 2009-2012 David Gurnett
Last Updated January 2, 2012
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