Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City

The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh is a beautifully preserved remnant of French colonial times and perhaps the grandest post office in all of Southeast Asia. Located next door to Notre Dame Cathedral, the two cultural sites can be visited together and offers visitors a chance to imagine life in Vietnam during the times of the Indochinese Empire. The building was designed by Gustave Eiffel – the renowned engineer who also designed the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower – and features arched windows and wooden shutters, just as it would have in its heyday in the late 19th Century.


 

The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh was constructed between 1886 and 1891 and once inside, the looping arches, intricately designed marble floors and antiquated telephone boxes all serve as a reminder of the importance the post office played in days before email and mobile phones. Although the architecture is distinctly French, the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh hanging high above everyone at the far end of the building reminds everyone we are definitely in Vietnam. Painted onto walls overhead are two maps of the region; one of them showing the telegraph lines that crisscross Vietnam and Cambodia and the other displaying a map of the Saigon region in 1892.

 

 

Although the experience is a fascinating glimpse into history, the fact that this is still a functioning post office makes the experience even sweeter, and we encourage everyone to send a letter or postcard from here – it’s a piece of living history where even the old fashioned glue pots are still in use for sticking stamps to letters. There are two wings branching out from the main office, selling souvenirs, postcards and lacquerware but the prices are inflated and the same products can probably be found elsewhere for a better price.

Central Post Office

Opening Hours: 7am to 8pm

Location: 2 Công xã Paris, District 1

See more

  • Minh Chau Beach

    Minh Chau Beach is a private beach located on Quan Lan Island, Quang Ninh Province, which is only 15 kilometers away from Quan Lan Beach. For those who want a long journey, a...

    Read more

  • Cua Dai Beach in Hoi An

    Cua Dai is one of just five Vietnamese UNESCO World Heritage Sites offering an unrivalled seaside escape from the ancient streets of Hoi An. This 3km stretch of fine white...

    Read more

  • Thien Mu pagoda

    If Hanoi has One-pillar pagoda, Hue is renowned for its Thien Mu pagoda. The architecture, location and history makes Thien Mu pagoda among the top attractions to see in Hue.

    Read more

  • Temple of Literature

    Known as the first Vietnam’s national university, Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam) is the most famous traditional and cultural place in Hanoi in particular...

    Read more

  • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

    Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of the most historical attractions in Hanoi , knowing for the final resting place and holding the embalmed remains of President Ho Chi Minh, the...

    Read more

  • Museum of History of Vietnamese Military

    Also popularly known as Military Museum, this is one of the oldest museums in Hanoi.

    Read more

  • Hon Chong Promontory

    Hon Chong Promontory is one of the most famous attractions in Nha Trang with the perfect combiantion between rocky mountain and beautiful beach. Coming to Hon Chong...

    Read more

  • Cong Tay Island

    Cong Tay Island is located in Bai Tu Long Bay, part of the tour around Ngoc Vung Island in Quan Lan, about 40km off Bai Chay Cruise Port. Ships and cruises normally run from...

    Read more

  • Long Son Pagoda

    Long Son Pagoda, also well known as White Buddha Temple (Behind the pagoda is a huge white Buddha seated on a lotus blossom) is one of the most beautiful pagoda with an...

    Read more

  • Tran Quoc Pagoda

    Located on a small peninsula on the East side of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years.

    Read more

Destinations

Most popular tours

Business info

  • Vietnam Local Guide

  • Address: 18th Floor, VTC Online Tower, 18 Tam Trinh Str.,Hai Ba Trung Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Email: info@vietnamguider.com
  • Phone: (+84) 0904989890
  • Hotline: (+84) 0904989890