Imagine a place where history whispers on the breeze. That place is C\u00f4ng vi\u00ean B\u1ebfn B\u1ea1ch \u0110\u1eb1ng. This park and wharf stretches along the S\u00e0i G\u00f2n River. It is a place of beauty and historical significance.
C\u00f4ng vi\u00ean B\u1ebfn B\u1ea1ch \u0110\u1eb1ng spans 1.3 kilometers. It covers 23400 square meters. The park extends from the Th\u1ee7 Ng\u1eef flagpole to the former Ba Son Shipyard.
Once known as B\u1ebfn Ng\u1ef1, meaning Royal Wharf, its history stretches back centuries. Scholar P\u00e9trus K\u00fd noted its Khmer name, Compong-luong. This suggests a link to when S\u00e0i G\u00f2n was Prey Nokor.
Under French rule, the area changed names several times. It was quai de Donnai, then quai Napol\u00e9on in 1865. Later, it became quai du Commerce in 1870. By 1920, it was quai le Myre de Vilers.
The French Navy also used the area. They called it quai Primauguet and later quai d’Argonne. This area housed naval headquarters and barracks.
In 1955, the South Vietnamese government unified the area. They gave it the name B\u1ebfn B\u1ea1ch \u0110\u1eb1ng. After the French left, the S\u00e0i G\u00f2n Port Authority took over. The naval area was managed by defense ministries.
Renovations in 2021 and 2022 gave C\u00f4ng vi\u00ean B\u1ebfn B\u1ea1ch \u0110\u1eb1ng its current look. Grass and walkways now form the shape of lotus flowers. Today, the S\u00e0i G\u00f2n Waterbus operates here. Also, hydrofoil services run to V\u0169ng T\u00e0u.
The Th\u1ee7 Ng\u1eef flagpole stands tall. It was built by the French in 1865. The structure is 30 meters high. It once displayed flags for ships entering the Nhà R\u1ed3ng port. It was built on the site of a Nguyễn Dynasty trading post.
The Ba Son Shipyard marks the end of B\u1ebfn B\u1ea1ch \u0110\u1eb1ng. It was once a French naval facility. Some believe the name “Ba Son” comes from the French “Mare aux poissons.” This means fish pond. A canal once held many fish and shrimp here.
The T\u1ef9nh B\u00e0i Tr\u1ea7n H\u01b0ng Đ\u1ea1o statue is a key landmark. It stands in M\u00ea Linh Square. This is where six streets converge. The square was once named after a French admiral.
The statue replaced one of Rigault de Genouilly in 1962. The current statue depicts H\u01b0ng Đ\u1ea1o pointing towards the river. He declared he would not return until the Nguyen invaders were defeated.
C\u00f4ng vi\u00ean B\u1ebfn B\u1ea1ch \u0110\u1eb1ng is more than a park. People gather to exercise and relax. Couples enjoy romantic evenings by the river. The park is known as the most beautiful in S\u00e0i G\u00f2n.
The area near C\u00f4ng vi\u00ean B\u1ebfn B\u1ea1ch \u0110\u1eb1ng is set for future development. Underground spaces will be created. These spaces will allow for walking, shopping, and recreation.
As the sun sets on C\u00f4ng vi\u00ean B\u1ebfn B\u1ea1ch \u0110\u1eb1ng, remember its layers of history. It is a place of constant renewal. A vibrant space where the past meets the present.