VietNamNet Bridge – Nha ga 3A (Station 3A), a complex of entertainment and contemporary art facilities in HCMC’s District 1, has emerged as a new destination for people, especially youths to hang around.

A visitor looks at the products at Sadec District at Station 3A

Nestled in an alley of Ton Duc Thang Street, the place was renovated from an old French-style housing block dated back to the 19th century. It used to be a location for the Second Bureau or France’s external military intelligence agency and was then a place for Vietnam’s military to train officers.

Huge graffiti paintings show the way to the main hall of Station 3A, where guests can browse for about 20 fashion and accessory and household items brands like Dieu Anh, Nosbyn, T-Safari, Geisha, Mirror and Sadec District. Handicraft and pottery products of Sadec District Store founded by a team of popular photographers and stylists capture the eyes of customers thanks to their original designs by artisans from the Mekong Delta of Vietnam as well as Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.

A view of Mai’s Gallery which displays hundreds of paintings

More brands are on the way plus a café named Kujuz 3son, a free-of-charge studio to support young artists and people from the art community, a huge gallery and an open-air space for flea markets, art performances and fashion shows.

Do Thi Tuyet Mai, who is the owner of Mai’s Gallery and one of the four people who initiated the Station 3A project, said the venue has come to existence based on the inspiration by renowned art centers in the world, including Soho in New York and 798 in Beijing.

A new rock band joins a rehearsal of the Hardcore United music program on Saturday at Station 3A

“As a painting collector and a person who has had 15 years of operating an art gallery, I always want to support and promote young artists and those who are working in the fields of art and creativity. Station 3A was born with an aim to turn this ambition into reality,” said Mai, who is better known as Mai Do.

Mai Do told the Daily that on the agenda is a photo exhibition to be put on next month to raise funds for protection of Vietnam’s waters and islands, a flea market in mid July, a networking event for the art community and a visual and lighting display by French artists at the end of this year.

Young people browse for accessories at a fl ea market at Station 3A

Station 3A is located at 3A Ton Duc Thang Street in HCMC’s District 1. For more information, access the Facebook page of 3A Alternative Art Area.

SGT/VNN