Me Linh Square [Công trường Mê Linh] Then and Now

Me Linh Square [Công trường Mê Linh] Then and Now

Me Linh Square is the intersection where five different roads ending up meet together: Hai Bà Trưng, Ngô Đức Kế, Hồ Huấn Nghiệp, Thi Sách, and Phan Văn Đạt.
The square has been known for three different names:
(1) Rond point ["Roundabout" in English]. The place was called "Rond point" when it first installed with the junction of Hai Ba Trung Street [the former "Impériale"] and Ton Duc Thang Street [the former "Napoléon"] in 1863.

(2) The place of Rigault-de-Genouilly. As the establishment of the Rigault de Genouilly statue was popular for the entire Saigon population in 1863, the place became known as Rigault-de-Genouilly. After the French's departure and the statue's removal in 1955, the name was changed again to no. 3.

(3) Me Linh Square. In 1955, the Republic of Vietnam renamed Paul Blanchy Street (the former "Impériale") to Hai Ba Trung Street, to honor two sisters Trung Trac and Trung Nhi. Hence, the total place was renamed to Me Linh Square as Me Linh was the two sisters' hometown.


References:
Historicvietnam – "Saigon’s Famous Streets and Squares – Me Linh Square" (10 April 2022).
Hinhanhvietnam (10 April 2022).

Khâu Thanh Lâm