Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh city is the Presidential palace of Vietnam. We were tempted to drop the idea of visiting the palace but since we had plenty of time on our hands we decided to go ahead and wander around it.
The Presidential palace in Ho Chi Minh is also known as the Reunification Communication Hall and the Independence Palace. So don’t get confused if you find people using the name interchangeably. The palace was use as the residence of the president of the Republic of Vietnam. That’s how it got its name.
Today, the Independence palace is open to the public for a charge. Frankly, we explore a lot in Ho Chi Minh during our trip through Vietnam. The Independence palace and Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh were two locations that we spent a lot of time at.
Anyways, I digress. Join me as I take you on a virtual tour of the Presidential palace in Ho Chi Minh.
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Table of Contents
The Presidential Palace
A glimpse of the Presidential palace from the outside.
The palace is easy to spot because it occupies prime land and has sprawling lawns inside. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful despite the numerous tour buses that are lined up on the grounds. We spotted a squirrel playing in the water that the sprinklers shot in the air.
White pigeons fluttered on the lawns. A sense of peace seems to envelope the palace in a cloak and you can feel it as you enter.
Timings And Entrance Fees For The Presidential Palace
There wasn’t much of a line to enter the palace but you do have to buy a 30,000 VND ticket to pass through the gates. Be forewarned that the timings that the palace is opened are short.
The Presidential palace closes at 11 am for lunch and reopens at 1 pm. Make sure to plan your visit accordingly.
The Architecture
A glimpse at the grandeur.
The dimensions and the construction of the Presidential palace were done in accordance to the beliefs of the Vietnamese. Each corridor and each room was designed with the symbols kept in mind. There is much to see and as you enter you are greeted by the sight of large sprawling rooms on your right and left.
The large glass doors allow light to pour in and give the rooms a brighter perspective. The rooms on the other floors also echo the same style though some of them are smaller.
Such a big difference from today’s technology!
A bunker on the ground floor was specially built to protect the President. Some rooms were also used as a place to develop strategy. Other rooms housed equipment. A noteworthy observation is how such large machines were used to transmit and receive messages.
The same machine was not used for both transmissions and receiving. In fact, both operations took place in separate rooms.
The President’s room in the bunker. Probably the most luxurious war time accommodation.
A staircase served as a direct pathway from the President’s bedroom to the bunker. He had a separate bedroom in the bunker. The walls of the bunker were made of thick concrete and were particularly useful when the palace was bombed years ago.
The highest floor and its views.
The highest floor of the Presidential palace houses balconies and a view of the grounds below. The architect originally designed it as a place that the President could relax and meditate in. This would help him make important decisions wisely. The President later turned the center into a dance floor.
Facts To Know Before You Visit
- The timings are short and if you reach after 11 am you won’t be granted entrance till 1 pm.
- The explanations and history of each room are given clearly. You don’t need a guide.
- There are a number of tour groups that keep pouring in. Dodging around them to get a photograph can be a challenge.
- Don’t forget to pause at a balcony and enjoy the peace away from the crowds.
And there you have it. This is a quick virtual tour of the Presidential Palace in Ho Chi Minh. It was one of the palaces that we enjoyed visiting in Ho Chi Minh. Have you visited Ho Chi Minh’s Presidential Palace? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!