The HCM City People’s Committee and People’s Council headquarters tour has been suspended until further notice to carry out maintenance work. — Photo nld.com.vn

HCM CITY — The City is temporarily halting tours of its People’s Committee and People’s Council headquarters, which have become a popular attraction for local and foreign visitors alike.

According to its Department of Tourism, the suspension, which will last through 2025, is to carry out maintenance work to improve the buildings’ condition for tourists’ benefit.

The resumption date has not been announced.

The tour, launched in July 2023, attracted over 2,000 visitors during just the recent New Year holiday.

The popular tour educates people on the building’s French colonial architectural history besides giving the city government an open and friendly image.

Located at 86 Lê Thánh Tôn Street in District 1, it was built in 1909 based on designs by architect Femand Gardès modelled on a belfry in northern France.

The tour is organised on the last Saturday and Sunday of each month, with noteworthy attractions being the main hall, international reception rooms and an artefact display area.

In 2020 the building was recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national artistic architectural heritage site. – OVN