Norodom Boulevard
in 1955 Dai Thông Nhât
(after 1975 Lê Duẩn)
On August 1st, 1863, King Norodom of Cambodia asked for France's help to avoid takeover by Siam (now Thailand) and Annam (now Vietnam).
By the protectorate treaty, King Norodom the 1st prohibits any relationship with a foreign power without France's approval, and a general resident is established in Pnom Penh. In 1887 Cambodia became part of French Indochina.
Norodom Palace (Gouvernor's Palace)
The original Palace was built between 1868 and 1873 by the French, following plans by the architect Hermitte, and in a neo-baroque style that was very Napoleon III. Under the Second Empire and the Third Republic, it was first used as the Governor's residence (Norodom Palace), then as that of the Governor-General of French Indochina.
Independance Palace
In 1954 France turned the palace over to Ngo Dinh Diem and it became the seat of government as well as the Presidential Palace of the Republic of South Vietnam. The palace was severely damaged in 1962. Ngo Dinh Diem ordered it to be torn down and commissioned its reconstruction by Vietnamese architect Ngö Viêt Thu. Ngo Dinh Diem was assassinated in November of 1963 by a military coup, and the new Palace of Independence would be completed in 1966 and would remain the seat of the South Vietnamese government until April 30th, 1975, and was where the tanks broke down the gates. It is now called the Palace of Reunification.
Norodom Boulevard from the Botanical Garden
This boulevard starts in front of the Norodom Palace and passes behind Notre-Dame cathedral to open onto the Botanical and Zoological gardens, founded in 1865 by French botanist Jean-Baptiste Louis Pierre with over a thousand species of plants.
The Botanical Garden
The Avalanche Bridge
The Zoo
Blanchard de la Brosse museum
"Bào Tang Viên"
now Vietnam History Museum
The museum is located in the Botanical and Zoological gardens.
It was built by Auguste Delaval and it was inaugurated on 1st January 1929.
It traces the Vietnam's history from antiquities until 1930.
Foyer du Soldat et du Marin before 1955
National Defense College after 1955
Left photo: at 2 - 4 number , the "Soldiers and Sailors Home", with its swimming pool, located next door to the “Maison de la Radio” (Radio broadcast center)..
Right photo: After 1955, the Home became the National Defense College.
tel: 21.770
Air France Agency
- " 12 " Air France Agency " before before its installation on december 24th 1959 in the Caravelle Hotel located on Theater (Law-Son) Square.
Tel : 21.981 to 21.983
Veterans Center
- at 23 Veterans Center (Maison du Combattant)
Tel: 21.861
The Jean Comte Company since 1920
Headquarters:
34 Norodom Boulevard
Saigon
Tel: 20.257 et 22.527
Concessionaire for:
Automobiles and parts: Peugeot, Hotchkiss, Dodge, Packard, Saurer
Peugeot 202 and 203 automobiles at the Jean Comte Garage
Cycles and motorcycles: Peugeot, Meteore, as well as, from 1950 on, the famous Vélosolex.
Vélosolex and Peugeot motorcycle at the Jean Comte Garage
Tires: Michelin
Miscellaneous: Sedis chains, Champion, Jaeger, Marchal, Solex, Shell, Isorel
Branch office
11 Doudars de La Grée Boulevard
Phnom-Penh
Paris office: 17, rue Daru
Paris VIII
General administrator: M. Marcel Laurent
Board members:
Mr. J.B. Comte (president)
Mr. J.R. Comte (vice-president)
A corporation with a capital of 127,500,500.- francs.
The Vélosolex in Vietnam
The VeloSoleX first appeared in Indochina in 1950 when the Jean Comte Establishments imported the first velosolex 45s into the 3 countries on the peninsula: Laos, Cambodia and South Vietnam.
The VeloSoleX was very popular in the cities of South Vietnam, especially Saigon, Hue, and Tourane, its story ended in 1975.
In 1960 the Jean Comte Company became
Saigon Xe Hoi Cong Ty
In 1960 the Jean Comte Company became Xe Hoi Công Ty, to day this is a building with a shopping center " Diamond Plaza" just behind Notre-Dame Cathedral.
M. Jean Comte will return to France in 1970 in Neuilly-sur-Seine (Paris suburbs).
The Officers' Club
- " at 47 the Officers'Club (Cercle Militaire)
Tel: 20.219 and 20.157
| Marechal de Latttre de Tassigny Street Bata Shoes
A French corporation
Somme Boulevard Pachod Brothers
This company imported Englebert tires, Simmons mattresses, Mercier bicycles, Simplex derailleurs, Exshaw cognac, fabrics and bazaar articles into Indochina. "Au Dragon d'Or" Dance Hall
Dragon d'or Dance Hall and Dai-a Restaurant were located at: |
Douaumont Street Indochina Tobacco & Cigarette Manufacturer Mélia Saigon "MITAC"
Limited Liabilty Company with a capital of 7.500.000 Piastres Manufactured Rubber Company
140 Douaumont Street Richaud Street
Warehouse : Maison G.M. Fakra
|
haut de page 
