On July 23, Eastern International University (EIU) organized an exchange program themed “The Expansion Process of Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City”. The event attracted a large number of EIU students eager to learn about the more than 300-year history of formation and development of Ho Chi Minh City, as well as its future strategic directions as the new Ho Chi Minh City continues to grow.
Researcher Tran Huu Phuc Tien sharing at the program
With many years of research on urban history, culture, and architecture, Mr. Tran Huu Phuc Tien – author of the award-winning book “French – Indochina Architecture: Traces of Saigon – The Pearl of the Far East” – shared with students the nine stages in the formation, expansion, and development of Ho Chi Minh City.
Students asking questions to the speaker
According to Mr. Tran Huu Phuc Tien, these stages can be likened to the nine “birthdays” of Ho Chi Minh City. Each stage was examined and discussed from various perspectives including historical, economic, human, and urban planning contexts. From the ancient land of Gia Dinh to Saigon and later Ho Chi Minh City, over more than three centuries, the city has continuously expanded in space, maintaining its role as a major trading hub and international gateway, once hailed as the “Pearl of the Far East”.
On this occasion, the speaker analyzed the cultural, architectural, and social values of Ho Chi Minh City and shared his strategic visions regarding the city’s urbanization, globalization, and future development with the students.
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Trong – Vice President of the University expressing gratitude to researcher Tran Huu Phuc Tien for his sharing
Currently, in the context of national development, the new Ho Chi Minh City (formed after the merger of the former Ba Ria – Vung Tau province and former Binh Duong province into Ho Chi Minh City) is envisioned as a regional mega-urban area with synchronized development in infrastructure, logistics, services, and high-tech industries, becoming a leading economic, financial, and commercial center in the region. Through Mr. Tran Huu Phuc Tien’s sharing, EIU students not only gained a deeper understanding of the land where they study and live but also nurtured their pride and sense of responsibility as the young generation in building and developing Ho Chi Minh City into an increasingly civilized, modern, and sustainable metropolis./.
Some photos from the program:
