What Does “CEE” Mean on Old Power Substations in Saigon?
What Does “CEE” Mean on Old Power Substations in Saigon?
If you've spent any time wandering the streets of Saigon—particularly along roads like Pasteur, Trần Hưng Đạo, or Hùng Vương—you may have noticed old French-style substations with the inscription CEE, often accompanied by a year. Have you ever paused to wonder what "CEE" stands for?
The Meaning Behind CEE
The letters CEE stand for Compagnie des Eaux et d’Électricité de Saigon, which translates to the Saigon Water and Electricity Company. This company was established exactly 120 years ago with the primary role of supplying water to the areas of Chợ Lớn, Saigon, and even Phnom Penh (then called Nam Vang).
By 1909, the CEE had expanded its operations significantly after acquiring Société d’Électricité de Saigon (SEVS), another major energy provider at the time. With this acquisition, CEE became the sole supplier of both water and electricity for Saigon, Chợ Lớn, and Phnom Penh.
A Legacy That Lasted Beyond Colonialism
Although French colonial rule in Vietnam officially ended in 1954, the CEE continued to operate in the region until 1967. This was due to long-standing contracts between the company and the ruling authorities, which remained legally binding regardless of political change. These agreements were set to expire on 31 December 1967, marking the official end of CEE's presence in Vietnam.
That’s why many electrical substations built before 1967 still bear the CEE imprint. After this date, newly constructed substations began to carry the abbreviation SĐL, representing Sở Điện Lực (Saigon Power Authority), which replaced the CEE following the end of its operations.
A Brief History of Electricity in Indochina
Electricity made its first appearance in Indochina in the late 1870s, primarily used for telegraphic communication. It wasn't until the 1890s that coal-powered generators were introduced to provide street lighting, replacing the traditional oil lamps that once illuminated the streets of Saigon.
In 1896, the Société d’Électricité de Saigon (SEVS) was founded to generate electricity for the capital of Cochinchina. That same year, the company launched its first alternating current (AC) power station on Nationale Street—known today as Hai Bà Trưng Street. This location later became the headquarters of the Sài Gòn Điện Lực in 1967, and from 1976 onwards, the headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation, located at No. 72 Hai Bà Trưng.
From 1908, SEVS began illuminating the streets of Saigon, starting with the city centre. But by 1909, the CEE had taken over SEVS and assumed monopoly control over both electricity and water distribution in the three major cities of southern Indochina: Saigon, Chợ Lớn, and Phnom Penh. This monopoly lasted until the final day of 1967.
A Reminder of the Past
Today, the surviving substations marked CEE serve as quiet remnants of Saigon's colonial infrastructure and industrial development. While the systems have since modernised, these architectural relics remain a unique window into the city’s past—blending French influence, urban progress, and historical continuity.
So next time you walk past one of those old transformer stations with “CEE” carved into its façade, you'll know that it’s more than just an old building. It’s a testament to a bygone era—when a French-founded utility company powered the lives of thousands across Southern Vietnam and Cambodia.
