EU: Saigon, Cochin China - Photograph by John Thomson (1866) [L0055789]

1866 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Scottish photographer John Thomson captured this view of Saigon in 1866, during the early years of French colonial rule over Cochinchina. The city, now Ho Chi Minh City, was one of the first stops on Thomson's extensive photographic travels through Asia.

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Ho Chi Minh City through time — all 118 photos taken here (1866–2025) →