According to schedule, the Saigon Tax Centre, an iconic HCM City landmark, will be destroyed to facilitate the construction of facilities for the first metro system. However, a number of local and foreign people have asked that the centre be spared.

Stairs and mosaic patterns at the Saigon Tax Centre

First built in 1924, the Saigon Tax Centre was renovated several times. But the architecture inside, including the lobby and stairs remains largely as it was when it was built.

According to architect Tran Huu Khoa, the Finnish, Belgian and Chilean consuls emeritus as well as some members of the consul delegations in HCM City and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Department of Heritages have asked the municipal government to preserve the stairs and mosaics, the main lobby and the basic structure of the building.

Khoa has set about compiling the signatures of those who support the preservation effort. He intends to submit it to the municipal government soon. As of October 8, nearly 2,500 people had signed, including a number of prominent lawyers, researchers and academics both inside and outside of Vietnam. 

Khoa and Chau Minh, a student of architecture in HCM City, have also created an online petition in support of preserving the centre. The petition has gathered 300 signatures, and will also be sent to the municipal government.