This paper focuses on the formation and development of the colonial seaport city of Saigon. In other words, It deals with the problem how did the city and port in Saigon find a shape under the French colonial rule. In order to achieve the purpose, the...
This paper focuses on the formation and development of the colonial seaport city of Saigon. In other words, It deals with the problem how did the city and port in Saigon find a shape under the French colonial rule. In order to achieve the purpose, the three approaches has been applied. First of all, the street names of Saigon which was the symbol of the colonialization by French is analysed. many street named after French conquerors over Saigon. This category includes the thr navy admirals such as Charner, Catinat, and Chasseloup-Laubat; missionaries like Taberd; permanent residents of French, that is, colons represented by Paul Blanchy. For the rest, the French colonial authorities expressed desire and gratitude and wish through the name of streets of Saigon. For example, there were the streets of Hong Kong, Shang Hai, Espana, and Norodom.
The second approach is to examine the colonial seaport Saigon focusing on its residents and citizens. Saigon was composed of strictly divided compartments according to the ethnic line: town was occupied by French and European who were either colonial government officials, army members or entrepreneurs; the vicinity of Saigon was for indigenous peoples who farmed their land or provided labour for the center-dwellers. The Chinese were concentrated in Cholon who performed the role of merchants and traders.
Lastly this paper focuses on the relationship between the city and the port in Saigon. The Saigon port is said to be the half of the city. Furthermore the Saigon seaport had its tentacles all over the world through the main export item, rice and the main import item, opium. The last approach is not limited to that. It covers how the export business transformed Saigon itself and its hinterland, Cochinchina.