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The Reunification Palace befittingly takes its name from the reunion of the Northern and Southern fractions of the country after a hard fought war that ravaged not only Vietnam but also neighboring Laos. The Americans didn’t fare so well either. With regard to the war, the Northern Communists eventually won out and the Palace, once the symbol of the South Vietnamese government, now does much the same for the conquerors. It also remains one of Ho Chi Minh’s most interesting sights. For starters, you cannot help but notice the famed Communist tank that was shown in the media around the world crashing through the fence that some would say symbolized the free world.
The 1960’s architecture and well-appointed rooms befit a high ranking government official as was the case when the South’s leaders occupied the premises. Today, it emits a spooky silence that is broken only by the numerous tour groups passing through. An odd highlight is a film on Vietnamese history, laced with the usual propaganda that concludes with the playing of the national anthem. Americans may feel uneasy but it is visited by more by Vietnamese tourists and for them, the victory over America was what brought their country back together.
open: 7:30-11:00, 13:00-16:00 daily
admission: 15000 dong (a buck) Leave a Comment Address: 106 D Nguyen DuDirections: This is a nice stroll from the budget area of Pham Ngu Lao and is the center of the governmental section of town.
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The Reunification Palace is the FIRST place you should visit once your feet touched HCMC! It is definitely one of the most fascinating structure to visit - if you don't have much time, this is one place you should not miss.
The Reunification Palace saw the rise and fall of 4 presidents before the North and South Vietnam reunified. Though it is no longer used for state affairs, the palace is still filled with grandeur and awe. Visit the various rooms and you will realise that the past presidents have high taste for furniture and antique. It is really a palace!
Interestingly, take a look at the tunnel that leads no where. According to my guide, the tunnel was built to reach the airport. However, the ground was tough and it's not easy to dig the tunnels - the construction failed. The tunnel was a hiding place for the President during war time. Leave a Comment Address: Hoi Truong Thong Nhat; 106 Nguyen DuDirections: You can try walking to the Palace if you stay in District 1. Otherwise, take a cab, it should cost less than USD1!
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The entry fee is 15000dongs (~US$1). This used to be the Presidential Palace of the defunct South Vietnamese government and the Communists had virtually left the place intact as it was on that fateful day in 1975 when the tanks of the victorious Northern Vietnamese forces came crashing through the gates and the last bastion of American presence was scrambling away at the rooftop in their helicopters. See time frozen at that moment and walk through the opulence of the many stately rooms. See the many pictures capturing the work of the South Vietnamese government and its ultimate failure. Leave a Comment
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This was originally the Presidential Palace where Ngo Dinh Diem resided. It was bombed in an assassination attempt in 1962. The president and his family escaped but the palace had to be re-built in 1966 and was re-named Reunification Hall. You can see that historical photo inside of tanks crashing through the gates in the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975 - symbolizing the end of Sth Vietnam and it's government. The basement in particuar is interesting. There are operation rooms, military maps and old radios and communications equipment. Even old vehicles. The building and rooms have been left just as they were back in 1975. So you will see that 70's kitsch. Loved it. Address: Nam Ky Khoi StDirections: Entry fee 15,000 dong. Open 7.30 am-4pm. Closed 11am-1pm.
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Lagrandière, Governor of French Cochinchina started it's construction and named it Norodom Palace after the name of then king of Cambodia (king Norodom (1834-1904). The avenue in front of the palace born the same name. From 1871 to 1887, the palace was for the use of the French Governor of the Cochinchina (Gouverneur de la Cochinchine) therefore it was referred to as Governor's Palace. From 1887 to 1945, all Governor-General of French Indochina (Gouverneur-général de l'Indochine Française) made this palace as their residence and office thus this palce in this period was referred to as Governor General Palace. The office of the Cochinchinese Governors was relocated to a nearby villa.
In 1955, Ngô Đình Diệm became president of the Republic of Vietnam and renamed the Norodom Palace Independence Hall. From this time this palace became the presidential palace. According to fengshui belief, this palace is located in a dragon's head, therefore it was also referred to as Dragon's Head Palace.
this building is most notable for its symbolic role in the fall of Saigon in April 1975, when its gates were breached by North Vietnamese tanks and the victor's flag hung on the balcony; the very tanks that crashed through the gates are enshrined in the entryway and photos and accounts of their drivers are on display.
the Reunification Palace is a series of rather empty rooms . Tour private quarters, dining rooms, entertainment lounges, and the president's office that feel like everybody just up and left one day -- they did -- and a tour is almost eerie really. Most interesting is the war command room, with its huge maps and old communications equipment, as well as the basement labyrinth. There is an ongoing screening in a series of rooms in the basement -- mercifully cool and a good rest while touring -- of mostly propaganda about the war years (plays in French, English, Japanese, and Chinese in separate screening rooms).
Admission 15,000 VND ,Opens Daily 7:30-11am and 1-4pm Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street - District 1 - Ho ChiPhone: (848) 8223652 – 8290634 – 829411Directions: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street - District 1 - Ho Chi Minh CityWebsite: www.dinhdoclap.gov.vn/ Other Contact: Fax: (848) 8085008 - 8085066
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During the conflict between the North and South Vietnamese the Palace was used as a army command centre and an extensive control centre was established underground, protected by huge concrete fortification which gave protection from bombs.
A heliport was established on the top floor of the Palace and was constantly used by the President. The helicopter presently on display is the same model as that used during the conflict. Leave a Comment Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, HCMCPhone: 0808 5038Directions: Approximately 15 minutes walk from the City Centre.Website: www.dinhdoclap.gov.vn Other Contact: dinhdoclap@dinhdoclap.gov.vn
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On April 30, 1975, Communist tanks smashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace (now renamed as the Reunification Palace), symbol of the South Vietnamese government.
A soldier then ran to the fourth floor to unfurl a VC flag. General Minh, who had only become the head of state of South Vietnam 43 hours earlier, surrendered.
Guides now offer daily tours to visitors.
The Palace is also noted for its striking 1960s architecture, the creation of Paris-trained Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu.
At the Reunification Palace complex you can visit to conference rooms, the Presidential Receiving Room, basement tunnels and war room, telecommunications center and the residential quarters, as well as a back terrace complete with heliport.
Opening Hours: 7.30am-11am; 1pm-4pm daily. Leave a Comment Address: 106 Nguyen Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh CityDirections: Admission: USD4.
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We found our visit to the Palace very interestering and gave us an excellent insight into the recent history of the South Vietnamese people over the last 60 years. Easy to get to from the City Centre, a pleasant 15 minute walk and we were soon at the front entrance, a small entrance fee of approximately US 50 cents and we were soon walking through the large grounds.
Upon entering the Palace we were approached by an official who took us to join a free tour, the guide spoke English and was easy to understand. The tour is the best way to see the palace and appreciate its importance to the Vietnamese people.
The original Palace was built by the French and inaugurated in 1871, however on 27th February 1962, two pilots of the coup d'etat group of the Saigon Army bombed and destroyed sections of the Palace. The Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem ordered the demolition of the Palace and the building of a new Palace on the site. This new Palace combines modern architecture with traditional oriental architecture.
The Palace was used by the South Vietnamese as a headquarters during the war with the North and you might recall the television news reports on 30th April, 1975 showing the final stage of the war as the North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the Palace gates and took control as the Generals desperately fled in their helicopter. Leave a Comment Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, HCMCPhone: 0808 5038Directions: A pleasant 15 minute walk fron City Centre and the Rex Hotel.Website: www.dinhdoclap.gov.vn Other Contact: dinhdoclap@dinhdoclap.gov.vn
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The Independent Palace was built first in 1865 on the ground of Norodom palace as a residence for the French Governnor General.
In 1963 it was damaged by an air bombardment then was rebuilt by Ngo Dinh Diem,it was completed in 1966 and was renamed the Independent Palace.
It is 5-story building consists of 100 rooms and chambers,there is a card-palying romm on the third floor,the fourth floor was used for dancing and also had a casino there.
The more interesting floor that's basement which contains a network of tunnels, telecommunication center and a war room
It's located on Le Duan St u can also enter by the gate at 106 Nguyen Du st
Visitting hours:
7:30 - 11 am
1 - 4 pm
Ticket : 15,000VND (1USD) Leave a Comment
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The Reunification Palace (also known under its old name Independence Palace) is the former Presidential Palace of South Vietnam – and it was here on April 30, 1975, tanks from the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gate and ended the war. A replica of one of the tanks is located on the lawn outside the Palace.
The first palace on the site of the Reunification Palace was the Norodom Palace built in 1871. It was the French Governor General’s headquarter and palace, but the old palace was destroyed by bombs in 1962. The current palace was completed in 1966 after 3 years of construction.
The visit to the Reunification Palace was very interesting and it was like a time travel back to the 1970s. Things were left largely untouched from the day before Saigon fell to North Vietnam, and you were free to walk around in the Palace. See the conference room, the recreation room, the receiving room and more. In the basement you’ll find the war rooms - full of 1970s phones, radios, office equipment and maps – and a shooting range. From the balcony is a nice view of the surrounding park.
Tours are available (in English, French, Chinese and Japanese) and are free, but not necessary. A visit to the Palace is a must do in Ho Chi Minh City…
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