Where to visit in District 1, Saigon?
No one can really visit District 1 in just only one day since there are so many interesting places varying from museums to entertainment areas, from historic sites to modern constructions and so on.
Designed and built on the foundation of the 1962 Norodom Palace, the Independence Palace became the headquarter of the Saigon government, as the White House to the U.S. government, throughout the Vietnam war. After the reunification of Vietnam, the Palace received a second name: the Reunification Palace. It witnessed the unjust brutality of the war, the painstaking schemes of the enemy and the Vietnamese's pursuit of peace.
Not only does the Palace hold historical importance, but it also showcases 60s Vietnamese architecture. The Palace's architecture is the intersection between Western and Eastern cultures, expressing the East's cultural values as well as representing its traditional philosophy and identity.
Today, the Independence Palace is one of the must-visit places for citizens as well as for tourists.
Opening hours: 7:30am to 11:00am ; 1:00pm to 4:00pm every day.
Admision prices:
- For solo visitor: Adults: 30.000vnd; Students:15.000vnd; Children (6-17 years old) : 5.000vnd.
- For visitors in tour (more than 20 people): Adults:20.000vnd; Students:10.000vnd; Children (6-17 years old) : 3.000vnd.
Websites: http://ditich.dinhdoclap.gov.vn/vi-vn/trang-chu.aspx
Address: #135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Saigon, Vietnam
Notre Dame Cathedral, officially named Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica, is the first Catholic cathedral built in Saigon under the French colonial period. Throughout the ups and downs of history, its beauty is still intact amidst Saigon - it is the beauty of history, of the transformation, of assimilation in the age of integration and development and of the adaptation of Western culture into the Orient. The cathedral has long been an essential part of the Saigonese cultural and spiritual life, also a proud symbol of this city.
Opening hours: 8:30am to 10:00am; 2:30pm to 3:30pm (Monday to Friday)
Time for Mass : 5:30am and 5:00pm (Monday to Saturday); 5:30am, 6:30am, 7:30am, 9:30am (for abroader), 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:30pm
Address: #1 Công xã Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The City Opera House is one of the most notable architectural monuments built under the French colonial period. Since its completion, the City Opera House has been used to host not only musical events but also French soldiers moving to the South from the North or used as the South Vietnam House of Representatives, etc.
Not only holding within itself the nuances of history, it also represents old Western architecture, with a tinge of popular flamboyant French architecture at the same time and a combination of architectural and sculptural art. Today, the Opera House is of great artistic importance and also one of Saigon's monuments
Address: #7 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84 8 3829 9976
Built under European influences during the French colonial period, the Central Post Office is one of the most remarkable architectural monuments in Saigon It is famous not only for its old and meaningful external architecture but also for its grandiose internals, including arches, sophisticatedly sculpted patterns and the two historical maps (the 1892 Saigon Map and the 1936 Vietnam-Cambodia power lines). Today, tourists often visit the Central Post Office for the beauty of its old architecture amidst the city's modernity.
Address: #2 Cong xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward , District 1, Ho Chi Minh
Tel: +84 8 3822 1677
Opening hours: 7:00am to 7:00pm (Monday to Friday); 7:00am to 6:00pm (Saturday); 8:00am to 6:00pm (Sunday)
Built from the French colonial period with the original purpose is Museum of Commerce, the building was used as accommodation for politicians, the work of the interim government, and so on. Until the day reunification, the building was returned to inherent function and named Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, showcasing exhibitions related to knowledge, natural geography, economy, culture, and history of the City. The building is designed in a classic-regenerate style combining Asian-Europe culture and surrounded by gardens. This is a useful place when you want to learn about the City.
Address: #65 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Website: http://www.hcmc-museum.edu.vn/vi-vn/trang-chu.aspx
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Monday to Sunday)
Tel: 08.38.299.741
An exemplary architectural monument built during the French colonial period, this building became the Museum of Fine Arts in 1987 and officially went into operation in 1992. Today, the Museum is Vietnam's largest art center, preserving many paintings, sculptures, and antiques throughout history.
Address: #97 Pho Duc Chinh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel:0838294441
Website: http://baotangmythuattphcm.com/
Opening hours 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Admission prices: 5.000vnd for Vietnamese; 10.000vnd for foreigner
Having existed for 150 years since the French colonial period, the Zoo is a large-scale flora-fauna conservation park in Ho Chi Minh city with 590 animals of 125 species, 1800 trees of 260 species, 23 species of inland orchids, 33 species of cacti, 34 bonsai species, etc. Located in the center of the city, the atmosphere here is nonetheless very clean and fresh amidst beautiful green trees, plants, and wildlife. The Zoo also plays a very important role in education, conservation and research. It is the place of not only city dwellers but also travelers from everywhere on earth.
Website: http://www.saigonzoo.net/
Opening hours: 7:00am to 6:30pm
Admission prices: Adults: 50.000vnd; Children (1-1.3m): 30.000vnd; Children (below 1.3m): Free
Address: #2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: (08) 3.8291425
The Pedestrian street, a remarkable city construction, was built along Nguyen Hue boulevard and officially went into operation on April 30, 2015. The Nguyen Hue Pedestrian street is 670 meters in length, 64 meters in width, extending from the front office of the people's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City to the area along the bank of the Saigon River. Sprinkler system combined lighting, fog, lighting, and cameras are controlled by the control room below the street. Every day, the street welcomes thousands of visitors in the country and abroad. Along the street is the mixture of modern and antique architecture or new and historic values. Although the Pedestrian has been in operation recently, it becomes a new cultural and attractive symbol of Saigon
Address: Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The Bitexco Finacial Tower, inspired by the charming and attractive image of lotus, Vietnam's cultural icon, is one of the tallest buildings in Vietnam and a new icon for the era of prosperity and integration of HCMC. Most of the building area is used to place the transaction site by the leading financial enterprises in the world. The top area of the building is decorated and lit at night to create stunning scenery as the lighthouse of the city. This is also a recreation center that is appealing to young people.
Website: http://www.bitexcofinancialtower.com/
Address: #2 Hai Trieu Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Being originally a garden of France Governor Palace, this park was separated and developed to a public area with the community of Saigon sports clubs a long time ago. After reunification day, the garden was called "Tao Dan Cultural Park" and became a familiar spot to the residents. It is featured with lots of greenery and especially used to organize the flowers exhibition every Lunar New Year. Here was built the Hùng Vương Temple in 1992.
Located in the heart of Saigon, surrounded by the most developed zone in the country, opposite to the Presidential Palace, 30/4 Park contributes to a green heart among the bustling and crowded streets. Not only is the park an ideal site for people to come for fresh air, but this is also a good place to gather with friends due to its famous cafe culture "cafe bệt" - everyone sits "bệt" on the ground in the park and enjoys cups of coffee served. 30/4 Park is an indispensable green space in the city and a favorite place of people here.
23/9 Park is a park located in the center of Saigon on a side opposite to the Bến Thành Market and Ben Thanh bus station. The park was formerly a part of the Saigon Railway Station which was built during the French colonial period but destroyed and moved to districts 3 after the liberation. It is familiar with foreign tourists due to the multitude of restaurants, bars, pubs, catering services, cheap hostels, etc alongside the park.
Lê Văn Tám Park was formerly the Mạc Đĩnh Chi graveyard, and after the graveyard was moved to another place, this place was turned into a park in the country’s ceremony of 10 year-independence (1975-1985). Not only is this park remarkable for its great number of trees, flower gardens, and fresh air, but it is also famous for the Book fair of HCMC which appeals a lot of students. The book fair includes more than 20 million of books from more than 500 kiosks of publishers, and it offers a good chance to meet writers as well as performing arts.
3A station is a contemporary art area, which is inspired by contemporary arts all over the world such as Soho in New York, or 798 area in Beijing. The inside space is arranged to be an ensemble of entertainment including picture exhibitions, studios, shops,... and to have a combination of old and modern styles. Especially, the walls outside of the station are decorated with the colorful and attractive Graffiti style. The yard is also a place to organize art and antique fairs, art and fashion exhibitions,... Therefore, 3A Station is becoming a modern culture and has appealed to a great amount of youth as well as tourists.
Address: #3A To Duc Thang Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm every day
Tel :+84 8 6681 5265
All photos on this post taken by Linh Nguyen and Trieu Anh.