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

  • Vietnam Fine Arts Museum

    Just across the street from the Temple of Literature, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum can be found spotted easily from afar.

  • Ham Ninh fishing village

    If you want to see the most beautiful dawn and eat the freshest seafood in Phu Quoc, you should go to Ham Ninh fishing village which is an ancient fishing village. In Ham...

  • Dong Xuan Market

    There are so many interesting things and stunning places in Hanoi that you can enjoy the chance to take a visit to, one of the must – see places in Hanoi that you...

  • Phong Dien Floating Market

    Phong Dien floating market is not only a palce for selling and exchanging products but also a popular attraction in Can Tho . Phong Dien floating market has many different...

  • Visiting White Palace

    White Palace is an European architecture in the late 19 th century and it is located on the slope of Large Mountain. It was used to be as a relaxing place for the governor...

  • 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.

  • Bãi Dài (Long Beach)

    Bãi Dài (Long Beach) in Vân Đồn District, Quang Ninh Province is one of the most beautiful beaches in the North of Vietnam. It is known for the...

  • Yen Tu Mountain

    Yen Tu Mountain is one of the highest peaks in the Dong Trieu Mountains in the north-eastern area of Vietnam, located within the area of Uong Bi Town, Quang Ninh Province....

  • Fifth Military Division Museum of Da Nang

    The Fifth Military Division Museum of Da Nang was built in 1977, offering visitors a glimpse of Vietnam’s tumultuous past with extensive displays of war relics, news...

  • Quan Lan Island

    Quan Lan Island is located within the area of Bai Tu Long Bay, stretching on a total area of 11 square kilometers, from Van Don mountains to Giot Mountain.

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