Ho Chi Minh City Day 2: Reunification Palace Saigon

Date of Visit: 2nd April 2012

Staying in District 1 of Saigon is the perfect choice cause most of those main and popular attractions were tucked around this area such as Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, Reunification Palace, Opera House, and War Remnants Museums. Once we done with scouting around Ben Thanh Market which offered wide range of souvenirs and mementos, we walked to Reunification Palace which we believed that it's not really that far away. Wandering around Ho Chi Minh City seems to be pretty safe but please make sure be extra careful on your belongings especially the valuable one. 

#1: The ticket hours - 07:30 am to 11:00 am and 1:00pm to 4:00 pm

We reached around 12.30 pm and we had to wait for the counter to open at 1:00pm. So do take note before decide to come here cause there will be break in between 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. But afraid not cause if you reach during the break time, you still can visit the other two attractions which were few stones away - Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Saigon Post Office [will blog about these in the next post].

#2: Ticket includes film "Independence Palace-Witness to History" and access to the garden.

#3: Front view of the prestigious Reunification Palace

Reunification Palace, formerly known as Independence Palace was the residence and workplace of the President of the former South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Still standing strong and powerful in the middle of Ho Chi Minh City, this fascinating government building is a prominent symbol of the country's political history.

#4: Free English speaking tour guide in her Vietnamese national costume, ao dai

In this large and well-maintained historical building, we're fascinating with so many interesting things when viewing through all the four floors, including the rooftop as well as the secret tunnel passage inside this building. From the formal meeting rooms to private bedrooms and even visitors allowed to enter the war situation rooms 10 meters underground, all the rooms including the furniture and fittings were remains largely unchanged and making the whole place looking so grand and elegant.

#5: The Banquet Chamber

#6: The cabinet meeting room

#7: Auditorium stage with a statue of Ho Chi Minh and a red Communist flag and star in behind

 

#8: President's office in the hall

#9: The President suite and diplomat waiting room

#10:Vice President reception room

#11: Credentials presenting room

#12: Dining room with lavishly furnished and glittering chandeliers

#13: The living quarter built around a sunny atrium

This palace still holds many important functions until today. Some of the rooms in the Palace are available for the purpose of meetings and banquets. The palace even has facilities for held celebrations such as wedding and birthday parties.

For the admission fee per pax is 30,000 dong (approx. to USD1.50) that seems to be reasonable, I think that this is one place that you should visit when come to Saigon. It's a place more than just a museum itself.

[Credit To: Paddle With Hoz, Wikipedia, Saigon Muslim Tours]