Thu Ngu flagpole

According to the book document titled Cochinchine française et royaume de Cambodge in 1869, Charles Lemire wrote that the headland where the Saigon River meets Arroyo Chinois (Ben Nghe creek) was originally called pointe Lejeune, after the Captain (later named after the Captain). was Rear Admiral) Laurent-Joseph Lejeune (1817-1895), Commander-in-Chief of the French Navy in Cochinchina in the 1860s. Lejeune built many of Saigon's port facilities and is said to have built the Thu flagpole. Ngu, opened in October 1865 at the intersection of Ben Nghe canal and Saigon river, opposite Nha Rong wharf, now at the beginning of Ham Nghi street. The flagpole is a technical part that has the function of operating ships in and out of the port. The architecture of the Thu Ngu flagpole is quite unique, consisting of three levels, the bottom is a high platform, a house is built around the base of the flagpole, the middle is higher with an octagonal roof. On a photograph taken in 1882, Thu Ngu and Nha Rong flag poles can be seen creating a beautiful landscape at the place where the land is lined with trees and windswept at the confluence of rivers.

From the very first days, Thu Ngu flagpole has also become a popular entertainment place for Saigon people. At 5 pm every Monday and Friday, most of the local residents will come here to listen to military bands perform. In 1891, the Thu Ngu flagpole became the first stop on the new steam tramway "Low Road", running from the site of Rigault de Genouilly (Me Linh Square) in Saigon to the confluence of the Saigon River. Saigon and Ben Nghe creek before going up to Cho Lon. The tramway ran through the signal pole until the mid-1920s, when it was electrified and rerouted around the city center.

In the 1940s, the Thu Ngu flagpole became the home of the famous “Restaurant de la Pointe des Blaguers”, run by Madame Durand. However, at that time, this place was best remembered by Saigon people due to the fierce battle that took place on September 23, 1945, when a self-defense squad of Saigon - Gia Dinh soldiers fought. tenaciously resisted a company of British troops equipped with modern weapons and died heroically.

In May 2016, Thu Ngu flagpole was ranked a city-level historical relic by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Today, the Thu Ngu flagpole no longer holds the function of signaling for boats to enter and exit the Saigon River, but instead becomes a sightseeing spot to visit, learn about its origins, and mark its historical values. development of the city for generations of people.

Address: Bach Dang Wharf, Ton Duc Thang Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1