Changing colours of Saigon's historic Post Office

While the Saigon government has been presiding over an unprecedented programme of heritage destruction in recent years, a new coat of paint on the city Post Office, one its most impressive colonial era buildings, has created quite a furore. So much so that it looks likely that its most recent incarnation in this very bright yellow, will be shortlived. New colours are presently being tested on the building. In the big tragedy of Saigon's disappearing heritage, this is a trivial concern. But if it points to a greater general concern for the city's architectural and urban planning future, then it's a welcome development. The post office opened in 1891 and is often mistaken as the city railway station by new arrivals. It's one of a handful of French colonial buildings that are compulsory inclusions on tour itineraries to the city. Gustav Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame, is frequently incorrectly credited (including by this website in the past) as the Post Office's architect. Tim Doling, a Saigon based British author and historian of the city's heritage, points out that the architect was in fact, Alfred Foulhoux. Doling also runs heritage tours of Saigon and Cholon. Descartes, Thomas Jefferson and others are recognised on the building's columns.