Built in 1966 as the South Vietnamese presidential palace, this building is preserved largely as it was on 30 April 1975, when a North Vietnamese tank crashed through its gates and ended the war. Visitors walk through the president's reception rooms, war room, and living quarters, all furnished in period style. The basement holds the old telecommunications and command bunker.
Reunification Palace, formerly Independence Palace, is preserved essentially as it looked on 30 April 1975, when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its front gates, ending the war. Built in 1966 for South Vietnam's president, the building is a time capsule of 1960s and 70s design: a cabinet room with a horseshoe table, a rooftop helicopter pad, a basement war command bunker lined with radio equipment and situation maps, and a screening room with a vintage film projector. Visitors can walk through nearly the entire building unguided, including the president's private quarters and the gaming room. The palace grounds themselves are wide, tree-lined, and popular for photos of the gate and the replica tank on the lawn. It is one of the few sites in the city where the physical setting of a pivotal historical moment has been left almost entirely unaltered.
| Admission | ₫65,000 (~$2.50) adult; ₫15,000 (~$0.60) child |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:00am-11:00am and 1:00pm-4:00pm daily |
| Typical visit | 1.5-2 hours |
| Getting there | Walk from Ben Thanh Market (about 15 minutes) or take a Grab taxi/motorbike; bus 152 stops on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia |
| Address | 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
Location
135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
10.7772, 106.6953 View on map
Highlights
- War command bunker with original 1960s radio and communications equipment
- Rooftop with the presidential helicopter and gate the tank crashed through
- Cabinet Room and President's reception hall preserved in original condition
- Ground-floor exhibition on the fall of Saigon, 30 April 1975
Tips for visiting
- Closed midday from 11:00am to 1:00pm; plan around the break
- Buy a combined ticket with the War Remnants Museum if visiting both the same day
- The basement bunker level is cooler and a good escape from midday heat
- English-speaking guides can sometimes be hired at the entrance for a small fee
When to visit
Opening at 8:00am for cooler temperatures and fewer tour groups
Accessibility
Ground floor and grounds are wheelchair accessible; the bunker level requires stairs.
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Frequently asked questions
Can visitors go inside without a guide?
Yes, self-guided visits are standard and most rooms, including the bunker and rooftop, are open to walk through freely.
Why is it closed midday?
The palace closes from 11:00am to 1:00pm daily for a lunch break; morning or mid-afternoon visits avoid this gap.