Ho Chi Minh City: Where Public Art Invades The Streets

Ho Chi Minh City, otherwise known as Saigon, is fast becoming a leading tourist destination in Southeast Asia. Apart from the usual tourist spots, the city is also known for public art that has invaded its street.

An AFP report in the Inquirer calls it “one beautiful canvas,” and it truly is that. Public art, also known as graffiti art, has become popular especially to visitors and tourists.

In Ho Chi Minh, Art Is Expression

The city bore witness to a tumultuous history, from being a small fishing village of Khmer people to a political center during the Nguyen dynasty and a colonial seat for the French colonizers to becoming the capital of the Republic of Vietnam.

After the Vietnam War, the city which was known as Saigon then was taken back by the Vietnamese. It was later on renamed after the late Communist leader, Ho Chi Minh.

With the country under the Communist Party of Vietnam, people normally do not talk about politics or get involved in anything political. State censorship is still very much alive.

According to the AFP report, young artists such as 21-year old Kong uses graffiti art to express themselves. He also said that it was the young people’s way of going against what society dictates. He added that wanting to show interesting images on the street or on the walls was their way of “breaking the rules.”

Where To Find Public Art In Ho Chi Minh

According to an independent curator, Nguyen Nhu Huy, graffiti art has become an integral part of the city. He said, “It has become a part of Saigon, you can’t imagine Saigon without graffiti.”

In fact, the city is listed as one of the best places to go to for public art. Culture Trip, an online culture magazine, has listed several hubs for street and graffiti worth checking out if you are in the city. These include 3A Alternative Art Area in District 1, Saigon Outcast in Thao Dien Ward and ZeroStation in District 7.

Notable is 3A which is actually several abandoned colonial buildings and warehouses that have been re-purposed as art hubs. There are several art galleries, coffee shops and boutique shops here. The AFP report however said that this area is due for redevelopment soon, so the artists will have to find another place to express themselves.

More In Store For Visitors

The city also hopes to draw in more visitors this year to boost the country’s economic growth. According to VN Express, a grand fireworks display and light art show is in store for tourists on April 30. To mark Vietnam’s Reunification Day, the city will organize many activities each month, starting May of this year.

Among the festivities lined up are a food festival in May, street arts and southern fruits festival in June, and an international tourism fair in July.