Ho Chi Minh City's Oldest Technical School Proposed for Historic Landmark Status

Ho Chi Minh City's Cao Thang Technical College, a 120-year-old institution, is being proposed for historic landmark status, recognized for its significant role in technical education and its well-preserved French colonial architecture. Established in 1906 as the "Asia Mechanical School," or "Bá Nghệ," it was one of the earliest vocational training facilities in Southern Vietnam, founded by the French colonial administration to train mechanics for industrial, military, and colonial development needs. Located in a prime spot in the city center, the school boasts a prominent clock tower built in 1924, designed to resemble a traditional Vietnamese house from the early 19th century. It houses an antique French-made GARNIER mechanical clock, which, though requiring manual winding and maintenance weekly, can operate for days with a margin of about one minute compared to modern timepieces. The school's open-air corridors, featuring concrete balustrades and black-and-white checkered tiles, enhance natural light and ventilation. At the end of a corridor stands a bust of General Cao Thắng (1864-1893), a key aide to national hero Phan Đình Phùng, renowned for his ability to dismantle and successfully replicate French 1874-model rifles. Cao Thang Technical College also has deep historical ties to Vietnam's national leaders. It is documented that President Ho Chi Minh, then known as Nguyễn Tất Thành, studied at the school for three months before departing from Nha Rong Harbor in 1911 to seek a path to national salvation. Former State President Tôn Đức Thắng (1888-1980) also attended the school as a mechanic apprentice from 1915 to 1917. Records and archival photos of the machine and electrical workshops where he studied are preserved in the school's traditional house. Today, Cao Thang Technical College continues to evolve, offering 23 programs to approximately 9,000 students. Among its current students is Xuân Thy, a third-year automotive engineering student, who, as one of the few female students in her field, expresses confidence in her future career prospects, demonstrating that technical skills are not limited by gender.