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

  • Binh Thuy Ancient House

    Binh Thuy ancient house was built 100 years ago and used as a backdrop to many famous films. The house has an unique architect which is the...

    Read more

  • Vietnam History Museum

    The oldest of its kind in Vietnam, Vietnam History Museum was renovated from the French Ecole Française d’Extreme Orient.

    Read more

  • Hoang Yen Chao Castle

    Hoang Yen Chao Castle is a unique architectural construction combining Eastern style and Western style. Built in the 20th century, it belongs to Na Hoi Tho Village, Bac Ha...

    Read more

  • Tuan Chau Island

    Tuan Chau Island is a newly established tourism center of Ha Long City, which is only 8 kilometers away from downtown Ha Long. The whole area of this island is about 2.2...

    Read more

  • Ly Quoc Su Pagoda

    Located at 50 Ly Quoc Su Street in the Old Quarter, only 50m from St Joseph's Cathedral, Ly Quoc Su Pagoda is one of the oldest ones of its kind in Hanoi

    Read more

  • My Khe beach

    The Mother Nature has endowed Danang dynamic city with the unique and stunning beauty of My Khe beach. My Khe Beach is recognized as one of the most beautiful beach of...

    Read more

  • 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.

    Read more

  • Tra Que herb village

    For tourists who come from big cities and who are curious about the Asian countryside, Tra Que village in Hoi An i s obviously a good choice. One of the great things about...

    Read more

  • The beautiful Xuan Huong Lake

    Xuan Huong Lake is a beautiful lake that located in the center of Dalat . Around the lake, there is a pine forest, lawn and flower garden. So, Xuan Huong lake is a favorite...

    Read more

  • 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...

    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