The Legend of "Nhất Sỹ": Unpacking the Legacy of Huyện Sỹ Lê Phát Đạt, Leader of Saigon's "Big Four Millionaires"

When you visit the magnificent Huyện Sỹ Church (formerly Chợ Đũi Church) on Tôn Thất Tùng Street in District 1, you are standing on ground connected to one of the most powerful figures in old Southern Vietnam. Lê Phát Đạt, known by his title Huyện Sỹ, was the unrivaled "Number One" of the legendary Tứ Đại Phú Hộ (The Big Four Millionaires) of Saigon. Join Saigon On Motorbike as we ride through the history of this influential patriarch.

💎 "Nhất Sỹ, Nhì Phương, Tam Xường, Tứ Định": The Big Four

The phrase "Tứ Đại Phú Hộ" emerged among the populace in Southern Vietnam (Nam Kỳ) during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to denote the four wealthiest individuals not just in Saigon, but across the entire Cochinchina region. The common mnemonic used was:

"Nhất Sỹ, Nhì Phương, Tam Xường, Tứ Định"

("First Sỹ, Second Phương, Third Xường, Fourth Định")

While the fourth name sometimes varies (Tứ Hỏa, Tứ Trạch, or Tứ Bưởi), the undisputed leader, "Nhất Sỹ" (The First Sỹ), always belonged to Lê Phát Đạt.

👨‍💼 From Penang Schoolboy to French Official: The Rise of Lê Phát Đạt

Born into a Catholic family in the Cầu Kho area of Saigon, though originally hailing from Tân An (Long An), Lê Phát Đạt was originally named Lê Nhứt Sỹ (or Sĩ). He studied at a Catholic convent school in Penang, Malaysia, where he acquired rare linguistic prowess, mastering Latin, French, Chinese, and the nascent form of Vietnamese Quốc Ngữ script.

Upon returning to Vietnam, his superior language skills made him invaluable to the French colonial administration.

• He was appointed as a translator.

• Later, he served as a councilor on the Cochinchina Colonial Council (Hội đồng Quản hạt Nam Kỳ) starting in 1880.

• It was through this position that he was conferred the title equivalent to a District Chief (Huyện), earning him the enduring moniker, Huyện Sỹ.

🌾 The Source of the Fortune: A Lucky Land Investment

The legend holds that Huyện Sỹ's immense wealth began almost by chance. During the early colonial period, many residents abandoned their ancestral lands to flee the French, leading to a massive fire sale of property that often found no buyers.

Working for the administration, Huyện Sỹ was "forced" (or opportunistically moved) to acquire large amounts of this cheap land. He took a huge gamble, which paid off spectacularly when his newly acquired rice fields yielded continuous bountiful harvests for several years. This stroke of luck rapidly elevated him to the status of Saigon's richest man.

⛪ A Legacy of Faith and Philanthropy

Despite his staggering wealth, Huyện Sỹ dedicated a significant portion of his fortune to developing agriculture and propagating the Catholic faith. His most visible legacy today is his magnificent contribution to the church:

• He personally funded the construction of two major churches in Saigon:

  1. Chợ Đũi Church (now universally known as Huyện Sỹ Church).

  2. Chí Hòa Church.

It is estimated that his total assets were seven times the amount he spent on building and donating these two churches—a testament to his unimaginable riches.

The Royal Connection

Huyện Sỹ's family influence extended even to the monarchy. His granddaughter, Nam Phương Empress, became the principal wife of the last Vietnamese Emperor, Bảo Đại. Historical documents suggest that Empress Nam Phương’s dowry alone was estimated to be around 20,000 luong (taels) of gold!

📍 Plan Your Visit to Huyện Sỹ Church

The majestic Huyện Sỹ Church stands today as a central piece of this legend and is a must-see stop on any Saigon motorbike tour.

• Location: 1 Tôn Thất Tùng Street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, HCMC.

Exploring the church and the surrounding neighborhood gives you a tangible connection to the man who defined wealth in old Saigon.