Rex Hotel

{{Infobox hotel

| hotel_name = Rex Hotel Saigon

| native_name = Khách sạn Rex Sài Gòn
Khách sạn Bến Thành

| native_name_lang = vi

| former_names = *Bainier Auto Hall

Rex Complex (Thương xá Rex)

| alternate_names = Rex Arcade {{small|(shopping mall)}}

| image = Rex Hotel P1310939.jpg

| caption = Rex Hotel next to the Entrance 1 of the Opera House station

| location =

| address = 141 Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard {{small|(Hotel gate)}} and 4-6 Lê Lợi Boulevard {{small|(Mall gate)}}, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1

| location_town = Ho Chi Minh City

| coordinates = {{Coord|10|46|33|N|106|42|5.4|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| opened_date = *{{Start date and age|1927}}: Bainier Auto Hall

{{Start date and age|1959}}: Rex Complex
{{Start date and age|1976|6}}: Bến Thành Hotel

| renovation_date = 2003

| classification = {{Rating|5}}

| closing_date =

| developer =

| architect =

| operator = Saigontourist

| owner =

| number_of_restaurants = 5

| number_of_rooms = 286

| number_of_suites =

| floor_area =

| floors = 6

| parking = 2 basements

| public_transit = {{RouteBox|1|HCMC Metro Line 1|{{Hcm-metro-color|1}}|white}} Opera House station

| building_type = Hotel, shopping mall (Ground floor)

| website = {{URL|https://www.rexhotelsaigon.com/}}

}}

The Rex Hotel or Rex Hotel Saigon ({{langx|vi|Khách Sạn Rex}}, {{langx|fr|Hôtel Rex de Saïgon}}) is a famous luxury and business hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, the daily U.S. briefings at the hotel became known as "The Five O'Clock Follies".

The 286-room (as of 2024),{{cite web|url= https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/lifestyle/20160827/rex-hotel/12223.html |title= Rex Hotel |work= Tuổi Trẻ |date= August 27, 2016 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117102019/https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/lifestyle/20160827/rex-hotel/12223.html |url-status=live}} six-story building is located on the corner of Lê Lợi Boulevard and Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard in District 1 of the city.

History

Constructed in 1927, for French businessman Bainier, during France's colonial rule of Vietnam, the building started out as a two-story auto dealership and garage complex, called "Bainier Auto Hall". The building showcased Citroën and other European cars.{{cite web|url= https://saigoneer.com/saigon-heritage/3697-icons-of-old-saigon-etablissements-bainier-auto-hall |title= Icons Of Old Saigon: Établissements Bainier Auto Hall |first= Tim |last= Doling |work= Saigoneer |date= January 20, 2015 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117102517/https://saigoneer.com/saigon-heritage/3697-icons-of-old-saigon-etablissements-bainier-auto-hall |url-status=live}}File:Agence Citroën.jpg garage in 1930.|center]]From 1959 to 1975, Mr. and Mrs. Ung Thi renovated the building into the 100-room "Rex Complex" hotel, which featured three cinemas, a cafeteria, a dance hall and a library.{{cite web|url= https://www.rexhotelsaigon.com/vi/rex-development/ |title= Lịch sử Rex |language= vi |work= Rex Hotel in Ho Chi Minh |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117121658/https://www.rexhotelsaigon.com/vi/rex-development/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://vietnam.vnanet.vn/english/tin-tuc/rex-hotel-vietnam39s-home-to-foreign-tourists-44057.html |title= Rex Hotel - Vietnam's Home to Foreign Tourists |first= Thanh Dat |last= Nguyen Vu |work= Vietnam News Agency |date= June 6, 2013 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117122514/https://vietnam.vnanet.vn/english/tin-tuc/rex-hotel-vietnam39s-home-to-foreign-tourists-44057.html |url-status=live}} The cinema was adorned with the most developed technology at the time, such as high-speed air conditioning, a 150-square-meter Todd-AO screen, and a stereo sound system to indulge up to 1,200 customers.{{cite web|url= https://saigoneer.com/saigon-heritage/2630-the-cinemas-of-old-saigon |title= The Cinemas Of Old Saigon |first= Dang |last= Bui |work= Saigoneer |date= September 4, 2014 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117073211/https://saigoneer.com/saigon-heritage/2630-the-cinemas-of-old-saigon |url-status=live}}

=Vietnam War=

In 1960, the building was leased by the American Culture Centre and at that time the Abraham Lincoln Library was established on the building’s ground floor.{{cite web|url= https://vietnamnet.vn/en/rex-hotel-vietnams-home-to-foreign-tourists-E90912.html |title= Rex Hotel - Vietnam's home to foreign tourists |work= VietNamNet |date= February 10, 2014 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117080509/https://vietnamnet.vn/en/rex-hotel-vietnams-home-to-foreign-tourists-E90912.html |url-status=dead}}

The first guests in the Rex came in 1961, while it was still in its final construction phase. They were 400 U.S. Army soldiers.{{cite web|url= https://www.rainforestcruises.com/guides/vietnam-war-sites |title= War Tourism In Vietnam: A Guide To The Top Vietnam War Sites |work= Rainforest Cruises |date= June 11, 2020 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117124519/https://www.rainforestcruises.com/guides/vietnam-war-sites |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.kathmanduandbeyond.com/vietnam-war-heritage-ho-chi-minh-city-saigon/ |title= Vietnam War sites in Saigon: Exploring places related to the US-Vietnam War |author= Mark |work= Kathmandu & Beyond |date= April 2, 2016 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117130622/https://www.kathmanduandbeyond.com/vietnam-war-heritage-ho-chi-minh-city-saigon/ |url-status=live}}

The hotel was the site of the United States military command's daily press conference, derisively named Five O'Clock Follies by cynical journalists who found the optimism of the American officers misguided. The daily event was hosted by Barry Zorthian, chief spokesperson for the U. S. government in Saigon from 1964-68.{{cite web|url= https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,903831,00.html |title= The Press: Farewell to the Follies |work= Time |date= February 12, 1973 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117082540/https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,903831,00.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/famous-hotels-soft-beds-and-hard-battles-6269552.html |title= Famous hotels: Soft beds and hard battles |work= The Independent |date= November 30, 2011 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117074555/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/famous-hotels-soft-beds-and-hard-battles-6269552.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/02/23/fighting-to-preserve-commercial-rebirth-vietnam-after-rallying-from-a-decade-of-centralized-economy-ho-chi-minh-citys-revived-business-sector-is-again-under-siege/ |title= Fighting to preserve commercial rebirth; Vietnam: After rallying from a decade of centralized economy, Ho Chi Minh City’s revived business sector is again under siege. |work= The Baltimore Sun |date= February 23, 1999 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117131033/https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/02/23/fighting-to-preserve-commercial-rebirth-vietnam-after-rallying-from-a-decade-of-centralized-economy-ho-chi-minh-citys-revived-business-sector-is-again-under-siege/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-to-do-ho-chi-minh |title= 5 Reasons to Visit Ho Chi Minh City Now |first= Clay |last= Dillow |work= National Geographic |date= June 29, 2017 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117092327/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-to-do-ho-chi-minh |url-status=live}} In these briefings, United States, South Vietnamese military and civilian press officers would give a breakdown of the day’s hostilities, casualties and alleged successes.{{cite web|url= https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/short-reads/article/3032334/hong-kong-now-has-its-own-five-oclock-follies |title= Hong Kong now has its own ‘Five O’Clock Follies’ media cabaret as press briefings stretch public credulity beyond breaking point |first= Jason |last= Wordie |work= South China Morning Post |date= October 10, 2019 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117095449/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/short-reads/article/3032334/hong-kong-now-has-its-own-five-oclock-follies |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-mar-10-tr-vietnam10-story.html |title= Footloose on the Busy Streets of Saigon |first= Barry |last= Zwick |work= Los Angeles Times |date= March 10, 2002 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117125827/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-mar-10-tr-vietnam10-story.html |url-status=live}}

Its rooftop bar was a well-known hangout spot for military officials and war correspondents.{{cite web|url= https://www.theculturalexperience.com/tours/vietnam-war-battlefield-tour/ |title= The Vietnam War Tour |first= Bill |last= Allison |work= The Cultural Experience |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117092553/https://www.theculturalexperience.com/tours/vietnam-war-battlefield-tour/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1973/03/30/archives/u-s-forces-out-of-vietnam-hanoi-frees-the-last-pow-war-role-is.html |title= U.S. Forces Out of Vietnam; Hanoi Frees the Last P.O.W. |first= Joseph B. |last= Treaster |work= The New York Times |date= March 30, 1973 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117125057/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/03/30/archives/u-s-forces-out-of-vietnam-hanoi-frees-the-last-pow-war-role-is.html |url-status=live}}

At its height in the late 1960s, the Rex complex had around 600 employees and was frequented regularly by over 450 international journalists covering the US war effort.{{cite web|url= https://saigoneer.com/saigon-heritage/4290-in-search-of-saigon-s-us-vestiges-part-2 |title= In Search Of Saigon’s US Vestiges: Part 2 |first= Tim |last= Doling |work= Saigoneer |date= April 22, 2015 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117083025/https://saigoneer.com/saigon-heritage/4290-in-search-of-saigon-s-us-vestiges-part-2 |url-status=live}}

=1975 to present=

After the Fall of Saigon, the state's Saigon Tourism Bureau took ownership of the hotel and renamed it Bến Thành Hotel in 1976.{{cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/30/world/ho-chi-minh-city-journal-a-haunt-of-old-saigon-gets-new-life.html |title= Ho Chi Minh City Journal; A Haunt of Old Saigon Gets New Life |first= Barbara |last= Crossette |work= The New York Times |date= January 30, 1988 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= April 9, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230409192818/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/30/world/ho-chi-minh-city-journal-a-haunt-of-old-saigon-gets-new-life.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://vnexpress.net/khach-san-5-sao-gan-100-nam-tuoi-o-trung-tam-sai-gon-3829202.html |title= Khách sạn 5 sao gần 100 năm tuổi ở trung tâm Sài Gòn |author= Mai Ny |language= vi |work= VnExpress |date= October 26, 2018 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117142039/https://vnexpress.net/khach-san-5-sao-gan-100-nam-tuoi-o-trung-tam-sai-gon-3829202.html |url-status=live}} In 1986, the hotel was renamed Rex Hotel, the name Bến Thành still kept for official Vietnamese documents and used along with the original name.{{cite web|url= https://vnexpress.net/nhung-cot-moc-phat-trien-cua-khach-san-rex-trong-90-nam-3951423.html |title= Những cột mốc phát triển của khách sạn Rex trong 90 năm |author= Bảo An |language= vi |work= VnExpress |date= July 12, 2019 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117093627/https://vnexpress.net/nhung-cot-moc-phat-trien-cua-khach-san-rex-trong-90-nam-3951423.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://vietnamfinance.vn/theo-dong-lich-su-rex-hotel-khach-san-5-sao-co-tuoi-doi-gan-100-nam-o-tp-ho-chi-minh-20180504224245596.htm |title= Theo dòng lịch sử: Rex Hotel, khách sạn 5 sao có tuổi đời gần 100 năm ở TP Hồ Chí Minh |author= Hoài Thương |language= vi |work= VietnamFinance |date= November 1, 2020 |access-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-date= January 17, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240117093624/https://vietnamfinance.vn/theo-dong-lich-su-rex-hotel-khach-san-5-sao-co-tuoi-doi-gan-100-nam-o-tp-ho-chi-minh-20180504224245596.htm |url-status=live}}

File:Lascar Rex Hotel (4607406155).jpg|Rex Hotel in 2008 when it is still not recognized as a 5-star hotel and still has its official Vietnamese name "Khách sạn Bến Thành" on the welcome gate

File:SAIGON (2042419898).jpg|Rex Hotel at night in 2008

In 2003, the hotel underwent extension and renovation works in its architecture, interior design and engineering services. It is owned by the state-owned enterprise Saigon Tourist.{{cite web|url= https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WL0411/S00260/cablegate-saigontourist-state-owned-enterprise-syndrome.htm |title= Cablegate: Saigontourist: State-Owned Enterprise Syndrome |author= Scoop Media |work= Scoop |date= November 9, 2004 |access-date= January 18, 2024 |archive-date= January 18, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240118021234/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WL0411/S00260/cablegate-saigontourist-state-owned-enterprise-syndrome.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://vietnamnet.vn/en/vietnams-three-top-travel-agencies-to-equitise-soon-564318.html |title= Vietnam's three top travel agencies to equitise soon |work= VietNamNet |date= September 2, 2019 |access-date= January 18, 2024 |archive-date= January 18, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240118022118/https://vietnamnet.vn/en/vietnams-three-top-travel-agencies-to-equitise-soon-564318.html |url-status=live}}

Rex Arcade

Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG; Tập đoàn Liên Thái Bình Dương) of Jonathan Hạnh Nguyễn[vi] and his ex-actress spouse Lê Hồng Thủy Tiên[vi] has made a {{USD|25000000}} investment for the renovation of Rex Arcade, a {{convert|1300|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}} shopping mall in the Ground Floor of the hotel, spans over three streets of Lê Thánh Tôn – Nguyễn Huệ – Lê Lợi, where was the Abraham Lincoln Library, it gathers some high-end fashion brands, including these names in currently: Balmain, Burberry, Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo, Jacqueline, Paul & Shark, Rolex, Runway with their subsidiary, Duy Anh Fashion And Cosmetics JSC (DAFC), is the official retailer of those brands for the mall. Currency exchange counter is located at the main lobby with some ATMs are also installed inside the Rex Arcade.