The French Residence in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday opened its doors to the public for European Heritage Days, inviting visitors to stroll beneath towering old trees, admire historic architecture, and discover rare artworks inside the villa.

This year’s event drew about 1,500 visitors, according to the organizers, and for the first time featured an audio guide to enrich the experience.

Over the years, this French Residence tour program, held as part of European Heritage Days, has become a much-anticipated event for many people in Ho Chi Minh City, as it offers the public a rare chance to explore the unique villa.

First launched in 2022, it has welcomed visitors just one day each year.

European Heritage Days, launched by France's Ministry of Culture in 1984, give the public access to buildings normally closed due to administrative, diplomatic, or economic functions.

A century-old villa

Dating back to the late 19th century, the villa showcases distinctive Indochinese architecture and has long been regarded as one of the city's landmarks.

It was built in 1872, around the same time as other Saigon landmarks such as the Reunification Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon.

Since 1975, the residence has served as the official home of French consuls general and a venue for consular events.

The reception hall, now used for consular events, showcases Nguyen Dynasty furniture from Hue City and antiques reflecting Vietnam’s decorative and spiritual arts of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Among the highlights is 'Dam Ruoc,' a lacquer painting created in 1939 by renowned artist Nguyen Gia Tri.

The French Residence is also known for its 1.5-hectare garden, home to ancient trees as old as the residence itself.

The grounds shelter a variety of wildlife, including civets, squirrels, chameleons, and rare bird species.

Ngoc Anh, 29, finally managed to visit the French Residence this year after several unsuccessful attempts to register in the past.

She went alone as her friends were unable to secure spots on the limited visitor list, but said the experience was worth it.

What impressed her most was the distinctive blend of Asian and European architecture at the villa, Anh told Tuoi Tre News.

“This residence has a long history and stands as a witness to the relationship between France and Vietnam,” French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Etienne Ranaivoson told local media at the event.

Toward stronger cooperation

The diplomat also noted that it is not only important to look back at the past but also to look to the future, as the two countries share great potential for cooperation in areas such as economy, education, culture, and especially innovation.

As part of this year’s public opening, and to mark the France–Vietnam Year of Innovation, a mini exhibition was organized in the residence’s garden, showcasing French inventions that highlight the bond between the two countries.

Each item on display was linked to stories of bilateral cooperation between France and Vietnam in fields ranging from culture and science to healthcare and transportation.

Launched by the French Embassy in Vietnam and marked by major events such as the French Tech Summit, the France–Vietnam Year of Innovation celebrates the shared spirit of creativity between the two countries.

Research, healthcare, culture, and technology are among the fields where France and Vietnam are working together to build solutions for the future.