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

  • 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

  • Vietnam Fine Arts Museum

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

    Read more

  • Hoi An Museum of History & Culture

    Where the Thu Bon River flows directly into the East China Sea, Hoi An was once one of the major Asian trade hubs. From the 16th to 18th century merchants visited from across...

    Read more

  • Tra Su Indigo Forest

    Tra Su Indigo Forest symbolizes for the beauty of An Giang's flooding season with flooded mangrove forest habitat and abundant flora and fauna. Tra Su Indigo Forest...

    Read more

  • Van Phuc Silk Village

    Situated on the bank of Nhue River, about 10km southwest of Hanoi Old Quarter, Van Phuc silk village is renowned for its traditional weaving and premium quality silk products.

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read 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

  • Kissing Rocks

    With thousands of islets of different shapes and sizes on its surface, there are countless stories about them in Halong Bay. Among those beautiful islets, there are two most...

    Read more

  • Pac Ngoi Village

    Visiting Pac Ngoi village, you not only enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Ba Be lake , forest and mountains but also explore the culture of Tay people. Pac Ngoi village is...

    Read more

  • Ti Top Island

    Located in the heart of Halong Bay, which is only 8 kilometers from the Southeast of Bai Chay Harbor, Ti Top Island is regarded as one of the most attractive site for both...

    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