Le Quy Don High School - Ho Chi Minh City

Overview: Le Quy Don High School boasts a history dating back to 1874. The school was founded during French colonialism and was named Collège Indigène (Indigenous College), said Truong Kim Quan, director of the city’s center for preserving historic sites. It first admitted French children only but was later opened to Vietnamese with French nationality early in the 20th century. At that time the school was renamed to Chasseloup-Labaut in tribute to the Minister of the Navy and the Colonies. Collège Chasseloup Laubat In 1954, the school’s name was changed again. It was named after writer and philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Even though it continued to be managed by the French, most of its students were Vietnamese. It was handed over to Vietnamese staff in 1970, and was renamed as Le Quy Don, one of the most famous scholars in Vietnam’s history, teaching students from grade 1 to grade 12. On 29th August 1977, the school was officially named Le Quy Don High School under the management of HCMC Department of Education and Training. The dictionary on Sai Gon – Ho Chi Minh compiled by Thach Phuong and Le Trung Hoa also confirmed: Le Quy Don high school is the oldest school in HCMC and is considered among the cultural heritage of the city.