1. Reunification Hall (formerly known as Independence Palace or Norodom Palace) is a historic landmark in Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam.
With the meaning of an era, witness the rise and fall in the history of Viet Nam, Independence Palace attracts tourists not only in the historic value but also in the landscape and the architecture of which is one of the most beautiful projects in this city with an area nearly 12 hectares.
The first impression when you go there is the very green grass cover which is on the front of the Palace.
The Palace has four sides:
- The front of the Palace is (on the Northeast) on the Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street.
- Behind of the Palace is (on the Southwest) on the Huyen Tran Cong Chua street.
- Left of the Palace is (on the Northwest) on the Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street.
- Right of the Palace is (on the southeast) on Nguyen Du street.
The Palace consists of 4 main floors, 1 terrace, 2 mezzanines, 1 basement and a 1 terrace for hellicopter. There are over 100 rooms with different decoration which is depended on the purposes of using these rooms.
If you want to visit this Palace the schedule is:
- Morning: 7. 30am – 11am
- Afternoon: 1pm – 4pm
Open every day (consist of Saturday, Sunday and even on the festival day)
You can buy ticket from the booth near the front gate on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street.
2. Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica (or Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica).
Photo by Thủy Hiền
It is the cathedral located on 1 Cong Xa Paris, 1st district. It is very near Independence Palace. From this Palace you can go through Le Duan street to the roundabout, turn right and you can see Saigon Cathedral.
The Saigon Cathedral is center of traffic. We can not only approach the front but also the other sides. The front of it is opposite the SHB Bank’s building, the back is opposite Diamond Plaza building, the left is opposite Saigon centre Post office and the right is opposite the 30th April park.
It is designed by architect J. Bourad, revised Roman style mixed with Gothic elements. The design was the most beautiful one in a French colony at that time.
3. Saigon central Post office
Photo by Martin (Lund Univ.)
It is located on the 2nd Cong xa Paris, near Saigon Notre-Dame and Diamond Plaza, a shopping centre.
The building was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the early 20th century. It has a Gothic architectural style. It was designed and constructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel in harmony with the surrounding area. Today, the building is a tourist attraction.
4. Ben Thanh market
Ben Thanh Market is a big marketplace in the downtown area of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in District One. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and today is considered one of symbols of Ho Chi Minh City, popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles, áo dài, and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine.
At Ben Thanh market, you can find more foreigner customers than VietNamses ones so shopkeeper can speak foreign languages very well.
Ben Thanh market is located near Quach Thi Trang square, you can go there by bus easily because opposite the Ben Thanh market is the Bus station headquater.
5. Saigon Opera House
Photo by Thủy Hiền
The Saigon Opera House is considered an opera house centre of Ho Chi Minh city where is held a lot of artistic stage and important events. It is located on Dong Khoi street, District One.
It was designed by architect Eugene Ferret. The construction started in 1897. The function of the theatre and the opera house was fully restored in 1995. Ho Chi Minh City Opera house is a smaller copy of the opera house in Hanoi, which was built according to Opera Garnier in Paris . The theatre was built in flamboyant Gothic style.
7. Ho Chi Minh city Hall
Photo by Thủy HiềnHo Chi Minh City Hall (Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Head office) was built in 1902-1908 in a French colonial style for the then city of Saigon. It was renamed after 1975 as Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. Illuminated at night, the building is not opened to the public or for tourists.
It is considered the most beautiful architecture in this city.
If you are standing at Sai gon Opera House, the Ho Chi Minh city Hall is opposite, so you can pass the flower-park on Le Loi street and you will see Ho Chi Minh city Hall. It is located on Nguyen Hue street.
Lecturer, Faculty of Civil Law
HCMC University of Law
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