Vietnam’s oldest courthouse in Ho Chi Minh City restored to former glory

After 11 years of restoration, Vietnam’s oldest courthouse in Ho Chi Minh City has been revitalized, preserving its historic architecture while enhancing its condition and functionality.

The Ho Chi Minh City court building, originally known as the Palais de Justice of Cochinchina, has reopened after an extensive restoration. Designed by French architect Jules Bourard, construction on the historic site began in 1881 and concluded in 1885.

Recognized as a national architectural and artistic heritage site in 2012, the courthouse is a key part of the city’s central architectural complex. It sits in harmonious alignment with other iconic landmarks, including City Hall, the Central Post Office, and the Independence Palace, which are all French-built colonial structures.

Following more than 140 years of continuous use, the structure had suffered severe deterioration. A comprehensive restoration project launched in 2016 and officially concluded earlier this year.

While the building retains its original 19th-century architectural integrity, it now boasts a significantly revitalized and well-maintained exterior compared to its pre-restoration state in 2015.

The entrance is framed by two square pillars, each standing roughly 4.5 meters tall and a meter wide. Crowning these pillars are statues of Marianne, the enduring symbol of the 1789 French Revolution.

Above Marianne sits a winged sphinx, a figure chosen to represent the far-reaching power of the law. This statue rests upon a book, symbolizing the legal codes that govern society.

Just beneath the book is a lion’s head, a traditional motif found across French and European public institutions. The lion’s mouth is notably chained, serving as a powerful visual reminder that authority and power must always be restrained.

The structure features a ground floor and an upper level, both measuring 5.2 meters in height. A steeply sloped, tiled roof rests atop the building, supported by a sturdy framework of steel and wood.

Beneath the main floors lies a semi-basement. This lower level serves as a secure archive and provides holding rooms for detainees during trial proceedings.

The exterior has seen a dramatic transformation since 2017. Restoration crews completely stripped away the old, peeling layers of paint and mold that had severely deteriorated the building’s facade.

The exterior was then carefully repainted, retaining the signature yellow tone characteristic of French colonial architecture. Along the corridors, evenly spaced arched windows feature louvered shutters that have been freshly coated in a vibrant dark green.

The restoration successfully preserved the building’s historical architectural value, maintaining its original details while highlighting a seamless blend of European styles and local elements.

The structure’s most prominent features are its intricate bas-reliefs and decorative motifs, which have been carefully cleared of moss and freshly repainted.

Inside, the center of the main hall features a striking statue of Lady Justice, or Justitia. She stands prominently, holding a sword in her right hand and a law book inscribed with the word « CODE » in her left.

Flanking her are statues of a man and a woman, symbolizing equality before the law regardless of gender. The inscription Palais de Justice de Saigon has been restored with greater clarity. The hall is also adorned with rooftop sculptures and intricate decorative patterns.

The main hall entrance is defined by three distinct doorways, now featuring decorative details restored in brighter, more vibrant tones. Above them, the historic French inscription is significantly more visible to visitors.

The entrance is secured by the original iron doors imported directly from France. Restoration crews have carefully cleaned away decades of rust and repainted them a classic green, ensuring they remain in active use today.

Phu Quoc Tuan, Chief of Office of the HCMC People’s Court, noted that restoring a national architectural heritage site demands strict adherence to complex procedures. All technical plans required thorough appraisal under the Law on Cultural Heritage.

Furthermore, the logistical challenges were immense. Court operations had to continue uninterrupted throughout the construction process, meaning the relocation of sensitive archived documents had to be managed with extreme care.

« Despite numerous challenges affecting progress, the project was completed as planned without disrupting daily judicial operations, » Tuan said.

Just beyond the entrance lies a spacious main hall, where symmetrical pairs of upper-level columns evoke a solemn sense of justice and fairness. The interior has been revitalized since 2017, now featuring a consistent, crisp yellow-and-white color scheme.

The hall is flanked by two first-instance courtrooms. In the center sit rows of antique wooden benches for trial attendees.

Court representatives note these benches date back to the French colonial period, remaining in excellent condition after more than a century of use.

Inside the courtrooms, high windows are strategically placed to bathe the space in even, natural light while preventing harsh glare.

Beyond its architectural beauty, the revitalized building provides a much-needed improvement in working conditions for the court’s dedicated staff.

This upgraded environment ultimately supports higher-quality judicial decisions and a stronger, more robust protection of legal rights.

The wide, towering main staircase leads directly to the upper-floor appellate courtrooms, featuring steps paved entirely with imported Italian marble.

Following the restoration, the staircase, railings, and balusters have been freshly repainted in a striking white-and-yellow color scheme, marking a noticeable departure from their 2015 appearance.

Flanking the steps are two prominent female statues that were temporarily relocated to ensure their safety during the renovation process.

To the right stands Lady Justice, grasping her iconic sword, while the goddess of Unity watches over the left side of the grand ascent.

The spacious and well-ventilated second-floor hall is framed by a column system that appears noticeably more refined following the restoration. Underfoot, the original glazed floor tiles from the French colonial era have been carefully preserved.

Along both sides of the hall sit four distinct pedestals. These structures represent French civil codes, uniquely depicted through the use of Asian figures.

On the wall facing the downward staircase, a prominent symbol of the scales of justice watches over the space.

Throughout the hall, numerous decorative details spanning the ceilings, columns, and walls reflect a striking blend of ancient Greek and Renaissance architectural influences.

A row of straight supporting columns lines the corridor, deliberately designed to convey the solemnity and enduring strength of the law.

Practically, this elongated hallway also functions as a vital protective buffer, effectively shielding the interior courtrooms from direct sunlight and heavy rain. The corridor is lined with a comprehensive suite of functional spaces, including offices, courtrooms, mediation areas, interpretation booths, and dedicated rooms for lawyers.

Tuan noted that the restored building now truly reflects the stature of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court.

« The building has taken on a new appearance befitting the court, especially as the city expands in area, population, and economic scale following administrative consolidation. »

He added that the successful project also highlights the strong, continued support from all levels of leadership, from local authorities up to the Supreme People’s Court.

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court is set back from the street by a spacious front garden courtyard. This design enhances the surrounding landscape while reducing urban noise and adding a distinct sense of formality to the building.

According to Tuan, historic courthouses worldwide often serve as popular tourist attractions. He expects the newly restored court to become a similar architectural highlight for the city.

Much like the nearby Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee headquarters, the restored courthouse is expected to open its doors to the public on weekends.

« This initiative not only helps the public better understand architectural heritage, but also contributes to legal education, » Tuan said.

He added that public access fosters a sense of transparency within judicial institutions and promotes the image of a more open, friendly city.

By Quynh Tran & Hai Duyen – VnExpress.net – March 21, 2026