cloneakieran | mar 3, 2018

Class place. Less is more! It's feels like it was in the 70s. Very nice, it's not over propagandist like many other 'museums' in Vietnam. The basic information on the walls is good. I would not bother with a guide as that would be way to long. Audio guide was not great, you are better off just reading the wall signs, as it is the same information. Also to note, when getting an audio guide they require a deposit (passport, drivers licence or 500000vnd) do not give your passport over, they do not secure it.

Ed Stewart | feb 23, 2018

A groovy, well preserved example of high 1960’s architecture, this 92 room palace was in use by the president of South Vietnam for less than a decade before the fall of Saigon to the communists. It’s mostly as it was back in the 60s, with very neat period furniture and decor. There’s less sheer propaganda here than in other war-era museums, too and tickets are reasonable. Do be aware that they close for lunch, so either go in the morning or afternoon. One star taken off because navigating the complex is confusing and sometimes poorly marked, and the huge central space age looking staircase is closed, so you have to go all the way to the sides for the other stairs - but there’s no sign telling visitors this. Don’t miss the bunker complex underground, or the Huey helicopter on the roof landing pad. Well worth a few hours of your time and a few dollars.

Brandon Jaspers-Fayer | mar 2, 2018

This was a pretty cool place,our tour guide told us all of the meanings of the shape and design of the building. It’s like going back in time! It was pr try cool! 40,000 each and 80,000 for an audio tour(which we didn’t get) there are also placards scattered around the palace which give you a good glimpse into the function of most of the rooms.

Jefferson Saunders | mar 4, 2018

This is a good visit.... but when you are done with the tour, you may notice off to the left and behind the Palace are several nice places to enjoy a luncheon break or coffee ... The locals come here but enter from the back side of the park. Covered tables but open air. Enjoy the cool breeze.

Beto | feb 11, 2018

Then they filed back to the farm buildings and halted in silence outside the door of the farmhouse. That was theirs too, but they were frightened to go inside. After a moment, however, Snowball and Napoleon butted the door open with their shoulders and the animals entered in single file, walking with the utmost care for fear of disturbing anything. They tiptoed from room to room, afraid to speak above a whisper and gazing with a kind of awe at the unbelievable luxury, at the beds with their feather mattresses, the looking−glasses, the horsehair sofa, the Brussels carpet, the lithograph of Queen Victoria over the drawing−room mantelpiece. They were just coming down the stairs when Mollie was discovered to be missing. Going back, the others found that she had remained behind in the best bedroom. She had taken a piece of blue ribbon from Mrs. Jones's dressing−table, and was holding it against her shoulder and admiring herself in the glass in a very foolish manner. The others reproached her sharply, and they went outside. Some hams hanging in the kitchen were taken out for burial, and the barrel of beer in the scullery was stove in with a kick from Boxer's hoof, − otherwise nothing in the house was touched. A unanimous resolution was passed on the spot that the farmhouse should be preserved as a museum. All were agreed that no animal must ever live there.  George Orwell, Animal Farm. 1945

Anselm Nemela | apr 8, 2018

Must see. It's an important place for the Vietnamese history. You get to see many rooms in original condition, including the bunker with all the old equipment (mostly made in U.S.A. by the way). If you're into guided tours there are guides available who speak different languages, some of them are veterans. If you'd rather discover on your own there are audio guides and signs with decent description for each room. You can easily spend 1-2hrs here.

Jason Tomczak | mar 14, 2018

A very interesting site at the center of District 1. The palace has a lot of interesting history. The original French colonial palace was destroyed in the prelude to the Vietnam War, and rebuilt in a very modern, 1960s style. The gates in front of the palace are the site of the famed photograph of the Viet Cong soldier riding the tank onto the grounds. Since then, the site has been very well preserved. Inside, the palace museum shows off private bedrooms, expansive meeting halls, and more. The most interesting part is probably the bunker underneath the palace, which is filled with equipment from the war, including radios, maps, and cars. The entire museum is filled with plaques that cover the history and architecture of the building, most of which are in good English/French.

Gary Winter | apr 8, 2018

I'm give in 5 stars because of the history. One must have to remember this is a commonest country, Vietnam. There's a lot of propaganda which I'm sure there is some truth to some of it. The building is fantastic and you do see a lot of what the palace look like before the end of the Vietnam War. For Vietnam a little expensive to get into around four to five dollars. Well worth seeing because it is a beautiful building and the grounds are so well kept. You can get earphone like device to hear about each area which cost a little more. You can't even individual person giving you a tour. That can run around $20 more. It is not air-conditioned but what's the highest ceilings it seems really cool. 1 must remember that it gets very hot here and Ho Chi Minh City also called Saigon. I would advise someone to go to it.

Aline Grellier | apr 16, 2018

Interesting place where we spent around 2h. Visitors can pay for a audio guide (many languages available - Vietnamese, English, French, German, Spanish and Chinese if I remember correctly) which is pretty good to listen to. We were free to visit most of the palace except the very deep bunker. Very impressive and a very important part of the Vietnam History. The only cons I would say is that you only see one point of view but this is part of most local museums or places to visit in Vietnam, you will have to come up with your own unbiased point of view at the end. A must see in Ho Chi Minh though!

Sam Styles | mag 20, 2018

Not very clear what you can do here. But if you go round to the front of the building, east side, there is a ticket office which has some info. We tried to just walk in and see what the grounds looked like but some guard said that it was closed (it was lunch time) - but a fair few people were inside anyway. To be honest, I don’t think it’s really worth the time. But really good to visit from the outside, pleasant walk round the outside.

Kevin Dinh | giu 9, 2018

Đến Sài Gòn thì chắc chắn phải đi thăm Dinh Dộc Lập rồi. Tiêu biểu của thành phố luôn mà. Thế mà lần trước vào chơi vì mải mua sắm mà mình chưa đến đây được. Lần này quyết tâm vào thăm Dinh. Cũng chưua bao giờ đi 1 di tích nào mà lại thăm quan kĩ càng như lần này. Lên lầu. Xuống hầm đều đi hết 😂 Khuôn viên của Dinh thì khá là rộng. Thoáng đãng. Bên trong k được mát như Lăng Bác. Mọi thứ được khôi phục cho mọi người thăm quan khá nhiều. Đi lên trên thì thăm quan đc 3 tầng. Ở trước từng phòng hoặc từng di tích có bản lịch sử để mọi người đọc và tăng vốn hiểu biết khá hay. Có tầng thượng trên cùng ngồi nghỉ gió mát lộng. Bên dưới đi sâu xuống là các tầng hầm, xuống thấy hơi sơ chút. Ngoài khuôn viên có nhiều quán cafe ngồi nghỉ chân. Vé vào cửa là 40k 1 người lớn nha. Tọa lạc trên đường Nam Kì Khởi Nghĩa, dinh độc lập thật hùng vĩ. Đi Dinh độc lập được nhiều lần, lần nào cũng có thú vui riêng, không hề thấy chán. Một lần được dẫn người nước ngoài đến thăm quan và có cơ hội giải thích với họ về dinh độc lập, nó từng là nơi ở và làm việc của Tổng thống Việt Nam Cộng hòa. Hiện nay, nó đã được chính phủ Việt Nam xếp hạng là di tích quốc gia đặc biệt. Ngoài ra còn kể về lịch sử kháng chiến chống Mỹ đầy tự hào của dân tộc Việt Nam này. Dinh Độc Lập hay còn gọi là Dinh Thống Nhất là nơi ở của các đời Tổng Thống trước khi thống nhất hai miền Nam Bắc. Được bao quanh bởi không gian xanh mát của các cây cổ thụ, tòa nhà chính với kiến trúc rất đẹp theo phong cách Pháp, tuy đã qua nhiều năm nhưng vẫn toát ra được vẻ xa hoa từ nơi ở Tổng Thống. Bất kì ai du lịch đến Sài Gòn đều phải ghé thăm nơi đây như một thông lệ và mình cũng nằm trong số đó. ✅ Vé vào cổng ở đây cho người nước ngoài và người Việt là 40k/ lượt tham quan, còn có thẻ học sinh sinh viên là 20k/ lượt. Giờ mở cửa là từ 7h30 đến 17h30 hàng ngày. ✅ Ở đây thường có rất nhiều khach nước ngoài đến tham quan và nếu đi vào thứ 7, chủ nhật hay các dịp lễ thì sẽ rất đông. ✅ Ở đây có rất nhiều ý nghĩa lịch sử, các bạn sẽ học được rất nhiều điều khi đến đây, mình đi chỗ này nhiều lần rồi và vẫn thấy hay. Ở đây cũng có các chỗ cho các bạn chụp ảnh cũng rất là đẹp nữa.

Dominic Tam | lug 14, 2018

This place is grand but unless you get an audio guide or a tour guide, direction can. Be confusing. Information are in both Vietnamese and English. The exhibit cost extras and its at the other side of the Palace (Seperate building). The bunker is interesting especially seeing the century old computers.

Rob Rom | lug 9, 2018

If you visit Ho Chi Minh, you absolutely have to visit this interesting place! The palace is very interesting and you can learn a lot about the Vietnam history! The bunker in the basement is the most crazy things to visit by the way! U need 2 hours minimum to visit everything!

Sinead O'Herlihy | giu 30, 2018

An interesting slice of Vietnam recent history. The decor is made up of authentic furnishing from the 60s. This just adds to the retro vibe. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Ho Chi Minh.

zarka101 | ago 8, 2018

Beautiful piece of history. Everything is well preserved. There are places around the palace where you can grab various refreshments to cool off on a hot day. Bring your camera as there are many good photo opportunities. I would recommend a visit to any tourist or even locals

HH Liew | ago 2, 2018

Not a bad place to visit. The grounds are extensive and there are many floors. U can get audio guides or pay for a local guide but equally enjoyable to do it on your own. Don't forget to go up to the rooftop and walk around the garden. Lots of photo opportunities here.

Chandra Prakash | lug 28, 2018

It's a nice place to visit and learn about the Vietnam war. The palace was earlier known as Norodom Palace and was the place and workplace of the president of the south Vietnam. The palace is open and we can through the president resident room, and office. There is also a bunker which is in the basement and there are a lot of machines for communication system that would have been used during the early days. We can also see a lots of maps during that time. The palace had a cinema hall, helipad, and recreation area. They are all well maintained. It was a nice visit.

Kat | ago 5, 2018

A nice place to walk around and spend an hour or so. Some really interesting historical artefacts and rooms. An audio guide is available but not necessary to enjoy the place. There's the odd message board giving some info on each area. The bunker was especially interesting and worth a wander. Well worth the small entrance fee.

Barbara Balmer | lug 19, 2018

Important historically with rooms frozen like a movie set. Tanks outside and a helicopter on the roof add interesting features. Worth a visit if history is your thing. Would make an awesome location for a fashion photo shoot. Cafe on roof and souvenir shop.