Tourism leaflet Messageries Maritimes, Saigon 1929

Saigon, justly called the “Pearl of the Far East” is the Capital of Cochin-China. The town is built on the river which bears its name, about 90 kilometres from Cape Saint-Jacques, where the Saigon river flows into the sea. The great liners take twenty-six days to reach Saigon. The duration of the voyage between Saigon and Shanghai and Saigon and Yokohama is ten and sixteen days respectively.

The population of Saigon is 109,000, of which about 8,500 are Europeans.

The town was reclaimed, after great difficulty, from marshland and forest. This was an exceedingly meritorious and rapid achievement. Nothing is more surprising to the travellers than its magnificent views, and the fine way in which the town, built in so short a time and at such a great distance from the metropolis, has been planned.

It will interest the traveller to visit the principal sights, notably the Botanical Garden, the Bramanical Pagoda, the Moslem Pagoda, the Pagoda of Canton, the Pagoda of the Chettys, and particularly the Pagoda of Dakao on the road to Giadinh. A museum is being built close to the Botanical Garden.

Cholon, an important town of about 200.000 inhabitants amongst which are more than 90.000 chinese, situated six kilometres from Saigon, is full of life and animation, very picturesque, and is well worth a visit.

The system of roads in Cochin-China is one of the finest and most complete in the world. Broad highways, carefully kept, allow travel by motor-car throughout the country. The very numerous excursions in the immediate vicinity of the Capital are thus easily accomplished. Among these must be mentioned : Thudaumot, on the Saigon River, 30 kilometres; Bienhoa, on the Donai 29 kilometres; the Falls of Trian, 75 kilometres; the Cape Saint-Jacques, 120 kilometres by the shortest way by land, or 180 kilometres by the Chesne Road, which runs through the heart of the forest.

Lastly, Saigon is the starting point for the Ruins of Angkor, about 600 kilometres distant via Pnom-Penh and the Great Lakes; also for the high tablelands of Lang Bian and Dalat, a hunting grounds particularly rich in game of all sorts where tiger, elephant, panther and gaur are to be met. This latter attraction may appeal to a few only, but no-one could be indifferent to the famous ruins of the ancient royal city of the Kmer [Khmer] Empire. Composed of a wonderful gathering of buildings, partly destroyed but of unequalled magnificence, Angkor, buried beneath the undergrowth of the forest, is the most wonderful place in the world for archaeologists.

CURRENCY. – The money in circulation is the Indo-Chinese piastre ($ 1). divided into one hundred cents. Its pre-war value was about Fcs 2.30 but is now follows the value of the pound sterling.

LANDING AND EMBARKATION. – The Messageries Maritimes steamers generally come alongside the wharves of the Company.

Taxi-cabs, carriages and rickshaws are always to be found near by, also coolies for the manipulation of luggage.

HOTELS. – It is advisable to book rooms in advance at the Saigon hotels by means of the ship wireless. Far all informations concerning the cost of wireless messages, passengers are requested to apply to the wireless operating room.Average Charges in the Hotels.In the principal Saigon Hotels, the charge is generally $ 7.00 per day for complete board.The price for lunch varies, according to the Hotel, from $1.50 to$ 2.00, and for dinner from $2.00 to$ 2.50.

Exchange Office. – There is an office for the changing of money, managed by the Banque de l’Indochine, on the premises of the Company’s General Agency. This office is open when the steamers call.

POST OFFICE, TELEGRAMS & TELEPHONES. – A Post Office, situated a few yards from the Wharf, allows the passenger to execute, without loss of time, all postal and telephonic operations.

POSTAL RATES

IndoChina
– Ordinary letters: Up to 20 grs. 0$05, From 20 to 50 grs 0$10
– Registered letters, Supplement of 0$15
France and French Colonies
– Ordinary letters: Up to 20 grs. 0$06, From 20 to 50 grs 0$10
– Registered letters, Supplement of 0$15
Abroad
– Ordinary letters: Up to 20 grs. 0$10, For every further 20 grs. 0$06
– Registered letters: Supplement of 0$15
Telegraphic rate for Indo-China. – 0 $ 03 per word.

TARIFF FOR RICKSHAWS CARRIAGES & MOTOR-CARS. Rickshaws :
The tariff for rickshaws is usually calculated on the basis of $0.30 per hour with a minimum of$ 0.10.

Pair horse open carriages :
– 1st – Within the boundary of the town :Single journey drive.. .. .. .. .. $ 0.50
– Return journey drive allowing a stay of 15 minutes.. .. .. .. $ 1.00
– By the hour { For the first hour $ 1.30{ For each subs. h. $ 1.00

2nd – Excursions :
– From Saigon to Cholon. .. .. $ 1.50
– From Saigon to Cholon & return allowing a stay of one hour. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. $ 2.80
– Circular tour of the town know [known] as the “Tour de l’Inspection” according to itinerary $ 1.30 & 1.70.

Grand Tour de l’Inspection .. $ 3.00Motor-Cars. – Taxi-cabs are to be obtained.
Motor-cars can also be hired from the principal garages.
Taxi-cabs. – About $0.20 per kilometre ; waiting charge, about$ 1.60 per hour.
Hired Motor-Cars (5 seats) : (about)The first hour .. .. .. .. .. .. .. $ 4.00
Each additional hour .. .. .. .. $ 3.00By distance : per kilometre . $ 0.25

Principal Excursions :
– Thudaumot : return journey. $ 18.00
– Bienhoa : return journey.. .. $ 15.00
– Cape St-Jacques : return jour $ 60.00
– Cape St-Jacques (by the Chesne Road) return journey.. .. $ 70.00
– Cholon : return journey . .. $ 10.00

Tourist Office. – This office is to be found on the Messageries Maritimes premises and at the Hotel Continental (Place du Theatre). Passengers can obtain all information concerning Tourism in Cochin-China, especially regarding the excursion to Angkor, which can be taken during the time the steamer is in port.

Ocean passages from Saigon :
For Bangkok : every fortnight (Affreteurs Indochinois). Time takem : leave Fridays at 2 p.m.; arrive Tuesdays at 4 p.m.

River Services :
– For Pnompenh : leave Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. (Compagnie Saigonnaise de Navigation).Time taken : about 36 hours.
Leave Pnompenh Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Motor-car Services :
– For Pnompenh : every other day, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.Time taken : 6 hours.Fare : $6.00 per person (single) and$ 10.00 per person (return).