Beneath the Saigon sky, before us stands the magnificent Thay Nam Tu Theater. This theater is officially known as The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City. It stands as an outstanding example of French colonial architecture in Vietnam.
Built in 1898, the Thay Nam Tu Theater enjoys a prime location in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. It serves as home to the national ballet, orchestra, and opera. It is especially known for evening cultural shows.
After France conquered Cochinchina, the French government invited a theatre company to perform in Saigon in 1863. Initially, performances were held at the wooden house of the foreman’s palace at Clock Square. This square is presently the corner of Nguyen Du and Dong Khoi streets. Soon after, a temporary theatre was set up at the site of today’s Caravelle Hotel. The construction of the new Thay Nam Tu Theater began on the site of the old one in 1898. It was inaugurated on January 1, 1900.
Between World War I and World War II, the municipal government covered all operation costs. Although intended as entertainment for the middle class, the Thay Nam Tu Theater gradually lost patrons to nightclubs and music bars. Performances became infrequent. Some were concerts, and others were Cai Luong programs.
In 1943, some decorations and statues were removed from the facade to give it a more youthful look. The Thay Nam Tu Theater suffered serious damage from Allied aerial attacks in 1944 and was shut down.
In 1954, after the French surrendered to Viet Minh during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, the theater served as temporary shelter for French civilians arriving from North Vietnam. The Thay Nam Tu Theater was renovated in 1955. It functioned as the Congress House of the Republic of Vietnam.
After 1975, the theater returned to its original function as an art performance venue. A major renovation in 1998 preserved the intact French architectural style for Saigon’s 300th-anniversary celebration. In 2012, the Thay Nam Tu Theater was certified as a national relic. It is now a famed venue for significant cultural and entertainment events.
The Thay Nam Tu Theater’s construction began in 1898 on nearly 3,200 square meters. It was completed in 1900. Architect Félix Olivier created its specific characteristics. French architects Ernest Guichard and Eugène Ferret supervised. The architecture drew inspiration from the Palace Garnier and the Petit Palais in Paris.
From the exterior, the Thay Nam Tu Theater boasts stone-carved ornaments and statues at the entrance. Raised over two meters from street level, it has double doors to keep out traffic noise. Inside, a main seating floor and two upper levels once accommodated 1,800 people. The arched windows and raised railings showcase bold classical French architecture. Shiny granite floors, crystal chandeliers, and stone statues were brought from France. Modern electrical facilities, lighting, and sound systems are also installed.
Today, the Thay Nam Tu Theater has nearly 500 plush velvet seats. They are arranged in an elegant oval auditorium with good views from each seat. The building stands out as one of Saigon’s splendid sights. The Thay Nam Tu Theater is home to the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera. It hosts various shows including classical concerts, opera, ballet, and Vietnamese traditional dance.
Shows like the A O Show, Teh Dar, and The Mist are popular choices. The A O Show blends bamboo circus, acrobatics, contemporary dance, and Vietnamese music. Teh Dar invites audiences into the world of Vietnamese highlanders. The Mist tells a story of Southern Vietnamese farming life through neo-classic and modern dance.
The Thay Nam Tu Theater stands as a testament to both French influence and Vietnamese culture. Its rich history and stunning architecture continue to captivate all who visit. As you stand before this beautiful building, remember its journey. It has transformed from a colonial theater to a symbol of Vietnamese artistic expression.