# Vietnam Travel Stories

Red light district in Saigon that existed 100 years ago

Red light district is an illegal part that still exist secretly in many parts of the city. However, there was a red light district in Saigon that existed 100 years ago, making it the most famous one ever. Nowadays, with the government work on easing these activities, the place no more exists.

The most famous Red Light District in Saigon

Most travelers visiting Saigon have heard about Bui Vien Street, Le Thanh Ton Street, or Pasteur Street as the Red Light District in Ho Chi Minh City. However, little does anyone know about the most famous red light districts that existed in Saigon almost 100 years ago.

In the mid-20th century, after the French had completed their invasion and established colonial rule in Vietnam, prostitution emerged and was openly allowed. By the 1930s, prostitution had become a serious social issue in Vietnam. A newspaper at the time described it as “swarming neighborhoods full of brothels.”

These neighborhoods were euphemistically called “Binh Khang.” According to historical records, Binh Khang was a place where prostitutes, originally from China, worked. In the poem “The Tale of Kieu,” the great poet Nguyen Du also referred to a brothel where Kieu lingered for a long time, making a living by selling her beauty.

Although the term originally referred to places where prostitutes lived, by 1953-1954, it had come to signify the “entertainment district” on Vinh Vien Street. This was considered the first legal red-light district in Saigon, established by General Bay Vien of the Binh Xuyen.

The fate of this red-light district was short-lived. In 1959-1960, when Ngo Dinh Diem came to power, he ordered the closure of these establishments and imposed fines on brothel owners. Organized prostitution seemed to be effectively suppressed during his regime.

Rise again

When Ngo Dinh Diem was overthrown, prostitution organizations resurfaced, and the Binh Khang area once again became a hub for this vice. Between 1965 and 1969, approximately 32 brothels operated in Saigon.

During the period from 1960 to 1975, hundreds of thousands of American soldiers arrived in South Vietnam. To “entertain” these troops, the Saigon regime allowed the opening of numerous nightclubs, dance halls, saunas, and especially brothels throughout the city. These sensitive services proliferated, particularly around American residential areas. Locals referred to these prostitution zones as “pig markets.”

The Binh Khang prostitution area expanded and operated vigorously day and night. Brothels were located in deep, interconnected alleys, creating a maze-like structure. This layout was advantageous for quick escapes during police raids or to discourage clients attempting to flee without paying.

It is estimated that by 1975, over 200,000 people were engaged in prostitution in South Vietnam. This number was seven times higher than the total number of sex workers nationwide in 2015, and when considering population ratios, it was thirty times higher.

Downfall & erasement

After 1975, the government took strong action against prostitution, making it almost disappear or go underground. Police quickly started raiding brothels and arresting owners. Many sex workers were given a chance to learn new skills and start new lives. The narrow, maze-like alleys of Binh Khang were no longer safe havens for illegal activities.