Built in 1880, the Continental Palace, was known simply as "The Continental". It's veranda lounge, open to the street, was the gathering place for the French colons where they sipped Citron Pressé, Dubonnet and Pastis de Marseille under the high ceiling with slowly rotating fans.

By early 1965, when this photo was taken, it had become a hangout for journalists, American expatriate businessmen and military contractors. The beverages of choice had changed to scotch, gin and tonic and Biere Larue.

Sitting there in the late afternoon one could see the comings and goings of the International Control Commission, the ineffectual bunch supervising the 1954 armistice agreement. All the hustle and bustle of Saigon traffic, street vendors and strolling pedestrians was there to view. 

Photo from Wikipedia

A few years later, I saw CBS newscaster Walter Cronkite doing a "stand up" in front of the hotel for the TV film cameras while novelist John Steinbeck chatted with some US Army officers at the next table.

In the 1960s French of Corsican descent continued to operate many of Saigon's hotels and restaurants. 

With the withdrawal of American forces (and businessmen) in the early 1970s, the Continental began to deteriorate. The clientele changed. The once pleasant lounge came to be known as "The Continental Shelf".

The Continental is now government owned but still looks much the same, though the open terrace is gone. Ground floor areas are now glass enclosed and the hotel entrance moved. While much of the city is changing as old colonial buildings are torn down, the hotel retains its Old Saigon appearance with the stucco colored exterior and red tile roof. 

 

 

Continental Palace and Rue Catinat in an Old Postcard Photo

 

French military officers at the Continental in early 1950s

Night curfew in 1964