STORYBOARD

Project:
“The Unique Architecture of Saigon: Every Building Tells a Story”

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

The downtown skyline of Saigon (also known as Ho

Chi Minh City) from the Saigon River

NARRATION:

It is so often the architecture that makes a city, and

Saigon … or … Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, certainly
has more than its fair share of its own style.

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TRANSITION:

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MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Bitexco Financial Tower in Saigon’s CBD

NARRATION:

These add to the charm and attraction of this dynamic

city.

The cityscape is a mix of architectural styles, including

French colonial, traditional Vietnamese, Chinese, and
modern.

EFFECTS:

Swipe left to right

TRANSITION:

Cross fade 2 seconds

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)
 Wes Thompson

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Saigon’s Old City Hall, by day

NARRATION:

One example is Saigon’s old City Hall, which today is

the headquarters of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi
Minh City.

It’s a grand old Parisian style building built by the

French in 1908. It is one of Saigon’s best examples of
French Colonial architecture.

EFFECTS:

Swipe diagonally lower-left to center

TRANSITION:

Cross zoom 2 seconds

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Saigon’s Old City Hall, by night

NARRATION:

It is particularly beautiful at night, when floodlights

show off the building at its best.

EFFECTS:

Cross fade 2 seconds

TRANSITION:

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MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

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 Wes Thompson

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Central Post Office of Ho Chi Minh City exterior

NARRATION:

The Central Post Office of Ho Chi Minh City is an

outstanding French-style structure that was
constructed between 1886 and 1891 and is an
exquisite example of French colonial architecture. It
resembles a classical French railroad depot.

It is still a fully operating post office today.

EFFECTS:

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TRANSITION:

Cross fade 2 seconds

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

The Rex Hotel from Nguyen Hue Street

NARRATION:

The Rex Hotel is another of the city’s grand and noble

hotels and it commands an impressive presence. It
began its existence as a commerce center and garage
in early 1927, which was in place until 1959.

Later, efforts began to convert the building into a hotel,

which also included three movie theaters, a large
reading room, and a dining facility.

The first guests at the hotel were U.S. Army soldiers,

sent to Saigon as part of an army helicopter and
transportation unit in 1961.

During the war in Vietnam, the hotel housed the

American Forces Information Service, and it quickly
became a favorite hangout for U.S. military leaders.

EFFECTS:

Slide upper-right to center

TRANSITION:

Cross dissolve 1 second

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

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 Wes Thompson

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

The Municipal Theatre from Le Loi Street

NARRATION:

The Municipal Theater of Ho Chi Minh City is often also

called the Opera House. It’s a charming and elegant
structure that adds much to the city’s downtown area.

Construction was completed on the neoclassical-style

building in 1897. It was designed by a French architect
Eugène Ferret. The theater seats 800 people.

EFFECTS:

Scale 0.66% → 1.50%

TRANSITION:

Cross zoom 3 seconds

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Ben Thanh Market from the front entrance

NARRATION:

The Ben Thanh Market is an icon of Ho Chi Minh City

and one of its most popular locations for visitors.

The market traces its roots to 1859, when the French

established its predecessor at the site of the Gia Định
citadel. A fire ravaged the market in 1870 but it was
rebuilt, becoming the largest market in the city.

EFFECTS:

Swipe left to right

TRANSITION:

Cross blur 3 seconds

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

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 Wes Thompson

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

The Reunification Palace from the front gate

NARRATION:

One of the most interesting buildings architecturally

speaking in Ho Chi Minh City is the Reunification
Palace.

This was the home and workplace of South

Vietnamese President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu.

It’s an imposing structure, sitting on a large gated

compound. Built from 1962 to 1968, it was designed by
Vietnamese architect Ngô Viết Thụ, who trained in
Paris.

EFFECTS:

Scale 0.5% → 1.75%

TRANSITION:

Cross Dissolve 3 seconds

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Reception salon – interior of the Reunification Palace

NARRATION:

The building is a museum today, with all the rooms set

up exactly as they were when it served as the
presidential palace and South Vietnamese government
offices.

EFFECTS:

Swipe left to right

TRANSITION:

Dip to black 1 second

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

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 Wes Thompson

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Photo of downtown Saigon, emphasizing modern

skyscrapers.

NARRATION:

However, not all of Saigon’s architecture is traditional.

The city has seen a boom in the construction of
modern buildings.

EFFECTS:

Swipe top to bottom

TRANSITION:

Dip to black 2 seconds

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

The Landmark-81 building full profile view

NARRATION:

One striking example is Landmark-81, so called

because it has 81 stories. It is currently the tallest
building in Vietnam.

EFFECTS:

Swipe diagonally upper-left to center

TRANSITION:

Cross dissolve 2 seconds

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

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 Wes Thompson

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

The Landmark-81 building from its entrance plaza

NARRATION:

Its name is quite fitting, as it serves as a landmark and

can be seen from all over the city.

EFFECTS:

Scale 0.75% → 1.65%

TRANSITION:

Dip to black 2 seconds

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

The Landmark-81 building in Saigon

NARRATION:

None, music only.

EFFECTS:

Swipe diagonally top-right to center

TRANSITION:

Cross fade 1 second

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

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 Wes Thompson

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Exterior of the Cao Dai Temple

NARRATION:

Finally, no story of Saigon’s fascinating architecture

would be complete without a mention of the Cao Dai
Temples seen throughout the city. This religion is
unique to Vietnam and began in the 1920s.

EFFECTS:

Swipe diagonally lower-left to center

TRANSITION:

None

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Interior of the Cao Dai Temple during a service

NARRATION:

From its traditional and time-honored structures to its

modern and bold designs, (Continue below.)

EFFECTS:

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TRANSITION:

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MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

CREDIT: http://www.caodai.org/
from YouTube Audio Library)

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 Wes Thompson

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Exterior of uniquely painted apartment building

NARRATION:

the architecture of Saigon has broken many barriers.

As Vietnam moves ever forward into the future…

EFFECTS:

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TRANSITION:

None

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

The Hotel Continental from Dong Khoi Street

NARRATION:

… its buildings will continue to tell a story.

EFFECTS:

None

TRANSITION:

Fade to black

MUSIC: “All Stars,” by Patrick Patrikios (Free license

from YouTube Audio Library)

COMMENTS:

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