The Extraordinary Story behind Saigon’s Four French Street Names

The French presence in Vietnam dates back to the 19th century and is reflected in many aspects of Vietnamese culture — such as cuisine, architecture, arts, and even street names. During colonial times, many roads in Vietnam have been named after famous French figures, and some were humiliatingly named after battles in which the country lost its independence. After the war, the streets regained Vietnamese names. However, four foreign street names remain in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City to this day. This article looks at the roads that still stick as the odd ones out today and what those four names mean to the Vietnamese.

During colonial times, Vietnam’s most common street names could be divided into two categories: those that commemorate the French colonial period and those that take inspiration from French culture and history. For example, many cities had streets named after famous French figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In Hanoi, there was a street named after General Charles de Gaulle and another one dedicated to Admiral Pierre-Charles de Villeneuve. Other streets reference the battles, such as the Quang Trung and the Nam-Giang.

When looking at street names in Vietnam, it is also important to consider their cultural significance. After the war, most French street names were renamed as a symbol of their independence. Some were named after important national figures or revolutionary leaders, such as Ho Chi Minh, Vo Nguyen Giap, and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai.

However, in Ho Chi Minh City’s center, visitors will find four street names that don’t quite sound Vietnamese: Alexandre de Rhodes, Pasteur, Calmette, and Yersin. Naturally, those Frenchmen have not directly enforced the colonization of the country but made significant distributions to Vietnam instead, which have still been hailed by the post-war government to this day. But what did they do exactly?

Alexandre de Rhodes Street

Alexander de Rhodes was a French Jesuit missionary and lexicographer who worked in Vietnam during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He is largely credited with introducing the Roman alphabet to the country and developing the Quốc Ngữ script, which is still used today. Many of his original writings and translations of Vietnamese literature are still in existence, providing an invaluable source of information about Vietnamese culture and language. De Rhodes was deeply passionate about the people of Vietnam and their culture, and his efforts have been integral in preserving their unique heritage. To this day, Alexander de Rhodes is a revered figure in Vietnam and is seen as a symbol of how both foreign and domestic cultures can coexist harmoniously.

Pasteur Street

Louis Pasteur, widely regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all time, is widely celebrated in Vietnam for his discovery of the process of pasteurization. His process of killing harmful bacteria in milk and other liquids revolutionized public health and has saved the lives of countless people in Vietnam and around the world. Pasteur’s work on vaccines and diseases has also been extremely significant in Vietnam, where old and new diseases have been fought off with his technology. Pasteur’s discoveries have changed the course of medical history, and his memory is honored with one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most important avenues, where also the Pasteur Institute operates to this day.

Calmette Street

Dr. Alexandre Calmette was a French doctor who devoted his life to the study of medicine and disease prevention. He is especially remembered for his work with the Institute Pasteur in Vietnam, which he founded in 1891, and where he developed a vaccine for the bubonic plague. His work was so important that he has been nicknamed the “Saviour of Vietnam.” Calmette’s achievements have had a lasting impact on both Vietnamese culture and the medical field. He pioneered a vaccine for the bubonic plague, which was highly successful and remained an important contribution to the reduction of bubonic plague in Vietnam. He also worked to improve the public health system in Vietnam, creating modern standards in sanitation, public health campaigns, and disease prevention. His legacy is remembered and celebrated in Vietnam, and his work continues to be a source of pride and admiration.

Yersin Street

Alexandre Yersin was an extraordinary figure in Vietnam’s history. He was a prominent Swiss-French bacteriologist and doctor who dedicated a large portion of his life to the country, focusing mainly on medicine and public health. Yersin studied in Paris and worked at Saigon’s Pasteur Institute, becoming an important figure in the field of microbiology and immunology. Yersin also discovered the infectious agent responsible for bubonic plague, now known as Yersinia pestis. In addition, Yersin was a key figure in the modernization of Vietnam, introducing new technologies and medical advancements that helped to improve the overall quality of life. He was also credited with discovering the site that would eventually become Da Lat. He died in 1943 and was buried in Da Nang. Yersin’s legacy lives on in Vietnam to this day, and his contributions remain an important part of the country’s history.