Located in a block of 62 hectares and surrounded by immense lawns and trees in its gardens, the building designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu is the perfect blend of traditional and modern architecture containing more than 100 rooms, each of which is designed differently depending on its function including meeting room, presidential office, living quarters of the president's family, underground war rooms, etc. Tourists will be explained about the decoration, history as well as significance related to such rooms by guides while visiting. Besides, tourists can also view and take photos with fighter planes, tanks outside the main building.
As an important historic vestige in Vietnam, Reunification Palace has attracted many domestic and foreign tourists every year.
Notes:
Address: 135 Nam Ki Khoi Nghia, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Location: in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s government quarter
Entrance fee: 30,000VND (1.5 dollars). Children under 6 years of age are free of charge
Opening hours: all days of the week (including holidays) from 07:30 to 11:00 & from 13:00 to 16:00
Highlights:
A highlight of the Reunification Palace is found in the basement which includes a command bunker with old radio equipment and strategy maps on the walls. After exiting the basement into the courtyard, there is a room filled with historic photos - heavily sprinkled with propaganda - portraying the fall of the Independence Palace.
A climb to the fourth floor rooftop yields some nice views of the palace grounds as well as an old US UH-1 helicopter. The rooftop was used as a helipad for evacuating staff just before the palace was overrun.
Before exiting the gate, check out two of the original Russian T-54 tanks - used in the capture of the palace - parked on the lawn.
There are very few signboards or explanations of rooms and displays - an English speaking guide will greatly enhance your visit. Free tour guides can be arranged in the lobby or you may join a group already in progress.
The palace closes sporadically for special events and visits from VIPs.
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