Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City

The Reunification Palace, also known as Independence Palace, is listed as a historical monument by witnessing great changes of Ho Chi Minh City’s history (formerly known Saigon) and having in itself the essence of Eastern culture. Throughout the heroic battles, this amazing work of architecture had witnessed almost every high and low of the Vietnamese war.

I. History of Reunification Palace

The origins of the Reunification Palace trace back to 1858 when French colonists attacked Da Nang, initiating their invasion of Vietnam. By 1867, they had taken control of six southern provinces, including Gia Định (present-day Ho Chi Minh City). In 1868, the French government commissioned a mansion in the city center as the residence for the Governor of Cochinchina, later named Norodom Palace.

Completed in 1871, the palace housed French governors from 1887 to 1945 during the Indochina invasion. In 1945, after Japan seized control of Vietnam from France, the palace became the headquarters of the Japanese administration.

Following the French defeat at Điện Biên Phủ, the Geneva Agreement led to their withdrawal. On September 7, 1954, Norodom Palace was handed over to the Saigon government, and Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm renamed it the Independence Palace.

In 1955, after becoming president, Diệm’s authoritarian rule sparked public discontent. Protests led to a bombing that severely damaged the palace, prompting its reconstruction.

In April 1975, during the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the palace became the symbolic site of Vietnam’s reunification. Today, it stands as a national monument and a reminder of the country’s struggle for independence.

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II. Architecture and Structure

In 1967, Architect Ngo Viet Thu was chosen to implement the design of the Reunification Palace. He was the very first Vietnamese to win the Khoi Award in the category of architecture, and still the only one so far. 

The building was built on an area of 12 hectares, including a large mansion with a width of 80 meters. Inside the Palace, there is a huge living room which can accommodate up to 800 people and a large campus with many trees and lawns.

The architectural beauty of the Palace is also shown by the stone flower curtain in the form of elegant bamboo on the second floor. The stone flower curtain is inspired by the departmental gates of the Hue Imperial Palace, not only enhance the beauty of the Imperial Palace but also shines brightly under the sunlight.

1. Outside

The Palace’s front yard features an oval lawn with a 102-meter diameter. Its lush greenery creates a calming, refreshing atmosphere as guests enter. A semicircular lake stretches across the yard, filled with lotus and water lilies, resembling the peaceful lakes found in Vietnam’s ancient temples and pagodas.

Two green parks sit outside the fences in front and behind the Palace. The main building consists of three floors, two mezzanines, a terrace, a ground floor, and a basement. Spanning 20,000m², it contains 95 rooms, each designed and decorated for a specific function.

After 1975, some rooms in the main building remained in use, while others were repurposed for visitors. In the 1960s, this was the largest and most expensive building project in southern Vietnam.

On the left side of this establishment, which faces Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, there is an octagonal house with a diameter of 4 meters, built on a high mound with ancient curved tile roofs to make a cool, relaxing place. Around the Palace, there are lush lawns, old gardens, precious potted plants and four tennis courts behind the main building.

The unique feature of this mansion’s architecture was created by the talented architect Ngo Viet Thu. He had harmoniously combined modern architectural art with traditional oriental architecture into the work.

2. Inside

Inside the Palace, the astonishing architecture is beautiful enough to make the grumpiest visitor awe. The hall has two sides of the wall of the oats room and the cabinet meeting room, in the front is a large, prominent and solemn wooden staircase. The hall has a high volume of space, wide and airy, simple and condensed decoration. Entering the main gate, one cannot go directly to the palace but must follow an arc around the oval grass as.

Besides the stunning space of the staircase and the hall, each room of the Reunification Palace has a unique and magnificent beauty as well.

• The Chamber: With a capacity of over 500 people, this room was once used for meetings, receptions, and cabinet launch ceremonies.
• The Credentials Presentation Room: The highlight of this room is the painting Bình Ngô Đại Cáo (“The Proclamation of Victory”), a masterpiece consisting of 40 panels depicting the peaceful life of Vietnam in the 15th century.
• The Library: This space holds numerous books and research papers from former presidents.
• The Strategic Operations Department Room: This room is a command center where military intelligence from four tactical regions was gathered. Using a detailed combat map system, staff would update, monitor, and deploy strategic military plans.
• The Basement: Beneath the Independence Palace lies a basement designed by Lieutenant Colonel Phan Văn Điền, the Chief Engineer of the Palace. The tunnel spans 72.5 meters in length, with widths ranging from 0.8 to 22.5 meters and depths of 0.6 to 2.5 meters.

Visitors can explore various fascinating rooms, including the ballroom, the presidential family’s residence, a movie theater, a reading room, and more.

• The Thematic Exhibition Area: This section displays historical articles and photographs, allowing visitors to gain deeper insight into Vietnam’s past. These exhibits, curated by historians, highlight key moments and hidden stories behind significant events.
• From Norodom Palace to Independence Palace (1868-1966) Exhibition: This exhibition traces the transformation of the Palace, showcasing its architectural evolution and pivotal historical events. It is a must-visit for history enthusiasts.
• The Additional Gallery: This area features a collection of rare photographs from the resistance era to Vietnam’s independence.

III. What to See & Do in Reunification Palace?

Besides the absolutely outstanding architecture, visitors can also admire unique artifacts displayed inside the Reunification Palace. There are two categories: historical artifacts and artworks.

1. Historical artifacts in Reunification Palace

The Norodom Palace, completed in 1871, housed French governors from 1887 until 1945, when Japanese forces took control of Indochina. After France’s defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the palace was transferred to the Saigon government. Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem renamed it the Independence Palace.

As President from 1955, Diem’s oppressive family dictatorship sparked protests that severely damaged the palace’s left wing. Following reconstruction, the palace later became a symbol of Vietnam’s reunification when the Vietnamese Revolutionary Army claimed victory there during the 1975 Ho Chi Minh campaign. Today, it serves as both a national monument drawing tourists worldwide and a venue for official meetings.

2. Artworks

Not only the historical artifacts, but the Reunification Palace also displays various valuable works of art.

• The oil paintings: There is an oil painting depicting the Vietnamese countryside, drawn by architect Ngo Viet Thu. There is also another oil painting of the sisters Thuy Kieu and Thuy Van when they first meet Kim Trong on the day of Ancestors Day(also known as Festival of Tending Graves).
• Pottery: There are dozens of ancient Chinese pottery pots during the Ming and Qing period in the Reunification Palace.

IV. How to Get to Reunification Palace

The Reunification Palace is nestled in District 1, which is also the center of Ho Chi Minh City and close to other tourist attractions such as Notre Dame Cathedral, 30/4 Park, Central Post Office, etc. 

Tourists just need to remember that the front gate of the building faces the intersection between Le Duan Street and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street. In case you can’t find the right address, look for this three-way intersection.

If you’re staying in District 1, the palace is within a 15 to 20-minute walk. For those preferring not to navigate on foot, taxis and ride-hailing services like Grab are readily available; simply provide the address or mention “Independence Palace” to the driver.​

Budget-conscious travelers can utilize the city’s public bus system. Several bus routes have stops near the Reunification Palace including:

• Route 03: Ben Thanh – Thanh Loc
• Route 18: Ben Thanh – Hiep Thanh
• Route 19: Ben Thanh – Su Van Hanh – Cho Lon
• Route 30: Ben Thanh – National University
• Route 42: Ben Thanh – Cau Muoi Market
• Route 103: Ben Thanh – Nga Tu Ga Bus Station
• Route 109: Tan Son Nhat Airport – 23/9 Park

V. Things to Note

Because the Reunification Palace is an honorable place bearing the heroic history of Vietnam, so when visiting, visitors need to strictly follow general rules of the management of the monument, as follows:

• Wear formal clothes, avoid wearing skirts or shorts. 
• Follow the instructions of the guard and signs during the visit.
• Do not bring luggage into the monument.
• Do not bring food or drinks into the monument.
• Do not bring animals into the monument.
• Do not bring weapons, explosives, toxic chemicals into the monument.
• Be responsible if causing any loss to the monument.

The Reunification Palace is not only a heroic symbol of Ho Chi Minh City but also the pride of the Vietnamese. Exploring this historic site will be a memorable experience, especially for foreign visitors who are curious about the heroic past of Vietnam.