At the fifth session, a special meeting, of the 11th Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council for the 2026-2031 term on the morning of September 22, council member Father Martino Tran Quang Vinh proposed that the city consider adding the ecclesiastical title to the street name.

Vinh said the council meeting coincided with a meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam in Hung Yen, describing the timing as “a spiritual joy for the entire Catholic community.”

He said many Catholics in Ho Chi Minh City would like the title of the late Archbishop Paul Nguyen Van Binh to be included in the street name. The current street sign simply reads “Nguyen Van Binh,” leaving many people unaware of the person after whom it was named.

Vinh said the late archbishop had made significant contributions to the country and his homeland after 1975.

“If we pass by and only see the name Nguyen Van Binh Street without knowing who this person was, that is something many Catholics are concerned about. The late Archbishop Nguyen Van Binh made many contributions to his homeland and the country after 1975,” he said.

Vinh therefore proposed that the city consider changing the name to “Archbishop Paul Nguyen Van Binh” or “Bishop Paul Nguyen Van Binh.”

“This would also demonstrate that every citizen has contributions to make, as well as the ability and aspiration to serve their homeland and country,” he said.

Vo Van Minh, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council, said the council would take the proposal into consideration and assign relevant agencies to review, survey and assess the matter before handling it in accordance with regulations.

Later this year, the municipal People’s Council and People’s Committee are expected to submit proposed rules on street naming as well as additions to the city’s list of street names for consideration.

Nguyen Van Binh Street is about 200 meters long and is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s historic streets. It has undergone four name changes over the years.

During the French colonial period, it was known as Hong Cong Street before being renamed Cardis Street in 1897. In 1955, it became Nguyen Hau Street. On April 7, 2000, it was given its current name, Nguyen Van Binh Street.

Located near Notre-Dame Cathedral and several historic architectural landmarks, Nguyen Van Binh Street has become a cultural destination since being transformed into a book street, helping promote reading culture in Ho Chi Minh City.

The late Archbishop Paul Nguyen Van Binh (1910-1995) was the first archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saigon, now the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, serving in the role from 1960 until 1995.

In 2025, he was among 60 figures honored by Ho Chi Minh City for their contributions to the city’s construction, defense and development over the previous 50 years.

Born on September 1, 1910, in Tan Dinh Parish, Paul Nguyen Van Binh was ordained a priest in Rome on March 27, 1937. He was appointed Bishop of Can Tho in 1955 and became the first Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saigon in 1960.

During his 35 years as archbishop, he became known for promoting reconciliation, dialogue and engagement with the nation, contributing to stability within the Catholic community and fostering solidarity among Catholics from different regions.

Phuoc Sang