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

  • 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...

  • Hanoi Opera House

    Undoubtedly, Hanoi Opera House is the most famous cultural and architectural monuments of Hanoi. Also, it is the biggest theater in Vietnam built in 1911. There have been so...

  • 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...

  • Fairy Stream

    Fairy stream is flowing next to Cang Vang Hill in Mui Ne and its color is very unique. Besides, fairy stream has beautiful scenery that attracts many tourists.  

  • Luon Cave

    Luon cave is the paradise of spectacular nature and dreaming landscapes. Moroever, Luon Cave is the perfect combination of lime-stone mountains and jade-green sea makes Luon...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • Water Puppet Shows in Ho Chi Minh

    Traditional Vietnamese Water Puppet Shows remain one of the cultural draws for most travellers to Ho Chi Minh City. 

  • 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...

  • Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

    Mother land gives Quang Binh a spectacular and pristine landscape, Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park. It is the harmony of the primeval forest and Son River, along...

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