The OLDEST HOTEL in SAIGON was the PERFECT PLACE for SPIES during the VIETNAM WAR

[@1960iou]

Thank you for you video.

[@TheBureauAsia]

You're welcome!

[@loveaodai100]

Well done. FYI... speaking of The Quiet American... the last remake of the film starring Michael Caine and Brendon Frazier had the Continental scenes done on location except that presumably for lighting and background condition the Caravelle was set up as the Continental with various exterior props. I was there taking photos in the background. The architect interview was great and he is spot on. For urbex lovers (urban exploration) there are many old buildings that people can wander through. One really terrific place is the communal building at 14 Ton That Dam Street, district 1. The building is about a hundred years old with many original features. There are some cafes and clothing shops in there and a graeat place for photoagraphy. This is not to be confused with the building on Nguyen Hue street which is also interesting but not as much as the TTD street property. I am originally from New York but living here the vast majority of time since 1988. Although now 68 years old I am never bored here.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for your kind comments and I'm glad you enjoyed it! I've heard a story that the producers of the movie couldn't agree on terms with the Continental, so they ended up creating a CG version of the hotel which you've probably noticed is "back to front" in the scenes it's featured in, almost like a mirror image. I believe the cast and crew stayed at the Caravelle. So there you go, some BTS intrigue! I know the building you're referring to on TTD Street, yes it's a good one to get a feel for what those old buildings are like. I love the Nguyen Thai Binh neighbourhood. Living here on and off since 1988 - wow! You've seen some changes!

[@trishfeehan6518]

My father worked for the United Nations. My family lived at the Continental Hotel when I was a small child from late 1964 through late 1966 when he died. Your video-including the interview-is wonderful to bring this building and its history to life. Thanks so much to both of you!

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks heaps for sharing your story, have you been back since? Keep an eye out for another video with Hoanh that we plan to do together soon 😎

[@trishfeehan6518]

I haven’t been back since. Wish I could! I look forward to your next video.

[@kevirish37]

Great video mate, I stayed there for a week in 1998, beautiful old hotel, hoping to go back sometime next year.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Wow, '98 was a while ago! You'll notice some changes when you come back. Thanks heaps for commenting!

[@hungcuongnguyen293]

More information for you , during the French colonization : Lam Son square was Place Garnier Lê Loi boulevard was boulevard Bonard Nguyên Huê boulevard was boulevard Charner Tran Hung Dao boulevard was boulevard Galliéni Hai Ba Trung street was rue Paul Blanchy Lê Thanh Ton street was rue d`Espagne Ham Nghi boulevard was boulevard De La Somme Lê Duân boulevard was boulevard Norodom and the Reunification Palace was Le Palais Norodom (named after the late king of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk ) Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street was rue Lagrandière Diên Biên Phu street was rue Legrand de Lalireille The Saigon riverside ( Ton Duc Thang street ) was le Quai de Belgique Phu Dong Thiên Vuong circle was le Carrefour Verdun Nguyên Van Troi street ( the street leading to Tân Son Nhât airport ) was rue Mac Mahon Nguyên Thi Minh Khai street was rue Chasseloup Laubat Mac Thi Buoi street was rue Dormeuil Nguyên Phi Khanh street was rue De Foucault Those are the main boulevards and streets in Saigon during the French occupation Two more famous old hotels in Saigon are Majestic hotel and Grand hotel built at the beginning of the 20th century

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for the info!

[@GuyLamunyon]

I stayed there while on a 3 day pass during the Vietnam War. Bar girls wanted us to buy the Saigon Tea and were available for other services. Good experience . . . . .

[@kkelly5957]

I stayed in room 214 for about 5 to 7 days in the first part of February, 1962. While I got my final training and indoctrination and move to the Central Highlands to train some Montagnard soldiers, the room has changed considerably, only one bed, mosquiito net over it, no A/C hardwood floor, some rugs. the door seems to be different somehow, can't pinpoint the difference though. Marvelous old building. This video brought back so memories of those day. I was US military, sort of.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Wow, great story, thanks for sharing it, would love to hear more about your experiences up in the central highlands. I'm also interested in learning more about a fella called Serong, did you know him?

[@SteveJohnson-v1j]

In July of 1968 I was in the Continental several times. I was 18 years old a month out of high school. I was an Ordinary Seaman on the CR Musser, an old Keyser ship owned at that time by Weyerhaeuser corp. We had sailed from the west coast of the US, Seattle, Aberdeen, Longview, Portland. Carrying mostly lumber and general cargo to Saigon. The ship was slow just over 10 knots. Took 30 days or so. I was in Saigon for 3 months with one trip to Taiwan for a load of Sugar then back to Saigon. Needless to say, a life experience for a kid just out of high school, Returned to Port Angeles Washington in October went on to the University of Oregon.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Wow, interesting, thanks heaps for sharing your story. Have you been back since?

[@DonzFedora]

You can even take the boat from Bach Dang to go to Vung Tau. It's a great scenic boat ride with a reasonable price

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yes, that's right, good tip, I've done it a few times. Here's a short vid on my other channel showing it kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2mTemCeZ96Ip5o

[@tondekoktdk]

I have been stayed here from 2007 every year and saw som changes. Some of the details you said are not right. In 13:20 the reason for the glass was that,the glasses were coming in 2009/ 2010 because the old shopping centre acroos the Dong Kong was scapped and they put glasses in it for the dust; before it was a varanda. Also at 13:50 you not go to a conference room but go to the breakfast area where you can eat breakfat with aircondition and where they serve the breakfast.

[@ct4706]

I also read Perfect Spy, ❤️ loved it …

[@TheBureauAsia]

Will give it a crack soon. Larry was interesting to listen to, will let you know if he's going to do another talk.

[@casulportfolio]

Great trip ideas! 👍

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks Mel!

[@stdm3108]

Does anyone knew about the name of this bike at 11:22

[@TheBureauAsia]

I've forgotten, will go and check for you this week!

[@johnrle8418]

Hi BA thanks for the good video....Yes this is a nice historical well known hotel. I never stayed in this hotel but I did have a farewell party with a group of relatives and friends at this hotel in 1980 and that time they dont have much stuff to serve. I got some "bia hoi" and "tom hoa tien" which were like food and drink for the King by the time....I miss SG so much. No I were not ...spy only 14 by the time hahaah

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for sharing your memories! Wow, 1980, that's a while ago! Have you been back since?

[@johnrle8418]

@@TheBureauAsia Yes I have. I left VN in1980, back 1992, 1993, last time was 2002.

[@KaiDon1]

Stayed 2 night , It's nice hotel.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Great location too!

[@peterhemlingston1776]

I have heard the electric bus (VinBus or e-bus) service was launched in the city, in addition to green/blue bikes.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yes, I believe there are some e-buses kicking around but I've haven't ridden one yet. I also mention the bikes and city tour buses here kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYeTZJ-LhLBpd8U Thanks for your comment!

[@ct4706]

Did you say that a notable guest named Thompson stayed there ?

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yes, long overdue for another one to stay!

[@peterhemlingston1776]

Quite interesting information! "The Quiet American" by Graham Greene, anybody?

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks and you've just reminded me to add chapters so things are easier to find. Cheers!

[@fmck]

I'm like you Matt. Was in HCMC for so long and never bothered to stay there, even though it's iconic of everything I enjoy about VN. Ah well, next time (soon) 😅

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yup, very easy drive to past and leave for another day, then suddenly you've been here a decade lol!

[@fmck]

@@TheBureauAsia Scarily so. Great content mate. Unrivalled

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@fmck Thanks heaps, glad you like it!

[@maxidrivemaxidrive4330]

Very interesting! I used to hang out in the Eden building as well while growing up in the 60s. Too bad they didn’t preserve it like the hotel which strangely I’ve never visited even when I returned for a visit after 35 years.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Cool, you must be around the same vintage as Hoanh 😉 he certainly has fond memories of Eden. Funny what you say about the Continental, seems to be a thing, this was my first ever stay there 😅 lost count of how many times I've just driven past it. Thanks for watching!

[@johnrle8418]

@@TheBureauAsia In this Eden building they used to have Eden cinema where it had the delicious chocolate ice cream that nowhere else had by that time 70's. And on the other side they had a very good night club played by the CBC and Enterprise band which were my favorite Vietnamese bands by the time (although i was very young by the time)....

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@johnrle8418 Yes, Hoanh mentions it in the interview 🙂 he used to go there too, to hang out. I'm aware of the CBC band, they have an interesting story! I tried reaching out to them a while back, but no reply 😢

[@doubleT84]

I read about the Eden building. And a Café Le Pagode next to it? Seemed like it was a popular place in the late 60s? I also heard that the consular department of the German embassy was at the Eden building, as well as a bureau of the German Associated Press.

[@mwn7521]

Wow, i did not know it was built in 1880 even i am Vietnamese . It already became History.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yes, surprisingly old! Would love to see some money spent on it for a refurb!

[@BL-db6xt]

beautiful blds, cool air (aside from well designed architecturally, sporadic breeze from nearby river, leafy streets) in tropical climate, good café (there used tb the best croissant & pate chaud served at Gival café that was only 2 minute walking distance from the Continental) in posh neighborhood are so much appealing to the Saigonese elites, but how did it became a spooky joints chosen by the spies? The Opera House was converted into the Parliament for the Sth VN regime. Those American's lackeys & courtesans frequented those premises all times. Old corrupted polies combined with courtesans is a good place for info gathering services & spreading rumours (leaked info to politically assassin opponents)

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for the interesting insights, appreciate your time for doing it. Thanks for watching!

[@doubleT84]

I read that the Caravelle on the other side of the Parliament (Opera) was where a lot of Americans stayed (officers, politicians, agents, ...) because of the bullet proof windows and only selected people were allowed in. So everyone else just wanting to stay close chose the Continental. Also, the Rex was around the corner and that was where the daily press conferences were held.

[@doubleT84]

I wonder if your friend knew Duc, a homeless tenager who is supposed to have lived in that area in the mid to late 60s, head of a crew of young kids selling newspapers out of Café La Pagode.

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@doubleT84 I'll ask him. I actually met up with my friend yesterday to discuss a new video 🙌

[@garelalexandre3252]

to be honest there is nothing left of those glorious years, open terrace with beautiful floor tiles, nor ceiling fans and its terrace on the street, in short... It's not the same hotel anymore. And that's honest to say..

[@GuonMr]

This is Saigon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@steveblack2728]

Go pies

[@TheBureauAsia]

Who cares!

[@bichtran2136]

Người nước ngoài, ở vn, nói tiếng Anh, nghe không hiểu gì hết,,

[@TheBureauAsia]

Tôi nói một số tiếng Việt nhưng khán giả của tôi là những người nói tiếng Anh 😉

[@mwn7521]

Rang hoc them tieng Anh di Ban, Anh chang Nay noi tieng Anh cham ma ….

[@saigontoiyeu4600]

@@TheBureauAsia an mac không co tu cach dung voi hotel trên 100 nam ; ao thun cu .