The Ho Chi Minh City Opera House was built in 1898 by French architect Eugene Ferret in the "flamboyant" style of the French Third Republic. It was designed to be two meters higher than the street surface, with two door layers, to reduce traffic noise. It has been used for a variety of purposes, primarily theatrical productions and classical music concerts. The building stands as one of the most impressive sights in Saigon – both night and day.