Sai Gon’s central post office

Situated at number 2, Cong Xa Paris street, built in 1886 – 1891. This is one of constructions with style following particular European and Asian pattern. Front of Sai Gon’s central post office has many rectangular compartments on which names of some computer and electric investors are written. A big watch hung above the main door is as old as such building where it belongs to.

Nowadays, there are many constructions around Sai Gon’s central post office used as a machinery and telecommunication equipment instaled places. In chief house puts up 35 departments for serving customers with a variety of services.

Opening hours: everyday, from 6 A.M to 22 P.M

Giac Lam pagoda

Address: 118 Lac Long Quan, Tan Binh district, Ho Chi Minh city.

Giac Lam Pagoda, other name Cam Son or Cam Dien, originally built in 1744, is the oldest pagoda in town. The garden in the front features the ornate tombs of venerated monks, as well as a rare bodhi tree. Next to the tree is a regular feature of Vietnamese Buddhist temples.

This pagoda is remodelled many times, in 1804 and 1909. On wellcome gate prints 3 words: Giac Lam Tu in Chinese wrting. Inside the temple is a spooky funerary chamber, with photos of monks gone by, and a central chamber chock-full of statues, inside are aisles of shelves with colorful urns of ashes, Chinese pots with red lights, candles, and offerings. Occasionally, there are lots of older gentlemen milling about, playing checkers and chewing the fat.

Duc Ba cathedral

This is the biggest cathedral in Ho Chi Minh city. Duc Ba cathedral has been put up by French colonising force and finished building in 1880. It is considered a beautiful structure whose style follows Roman pattern.

Main building for prayer is made of Marseille tiles, colorful glasses and steel structure brought from France combined with Bien Hoa green stones.

Roman style scrolled windows recalls the picture of big chancel in Pari, Chartres, Reim.

Every single day, there are many different times for church. Especially on Sunday, at 9.30, church time is available for foreigners.

Ben Duoc Temple

Situated at Cu Chi historical vestige area, ward Phu My Hung, Cu Chi district, Ben Duoc temple began to be built on September 15th 1993, opened to finish the first period on December 19th 1995. It consits of a welcoming gate, literature stele house, nine-floors tower, chief palace and flower garden.

A stony stele, 3 meters high, 3.7 tons heavy, is put in the middle of literature stele house and is engraved with a literature work named “eternal memory” written by Vien Phuong poet.

In chief palace, there is a worship place decorated in a solemn way, the middle of its is Ho Chi Minh statue. Many sides are engraved with heroes’ names.

December 19th annually is the ceremony day when inhabitants conmemorate and show their gratitute to such heroes who sacrificed and contributed to independence of country.

City people’s committee office

Built at the beginnings of 1900-1908, situated at Nguyen Hue street followed the design of architect Gardès and decorated by Bonnet. It is really prominent in such area due to unique decoration from the outside.

Thong Nhat Conference Hall

One entrance of Thong Nhat Conference Hall is on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street and another is situated at 106 Nguyen Du Street in Ho Chi Minh City.

Originally, here stood Norodom Palace, the Palace of Indochina's Governor General, which was built exactly in 1873. Until 1954, Ngo Dinh Diem, South Vietnam's President, worked and chose this place to be Prime Minister Palace. At the end of 1962, the Palace was remodeled and given a new name: Reunification or Independence Palace. After reunification, Independence Palace became the headquarters of the city's Military Administration Committee and renamed Thong Nhat Conference Hall.

Nowadays, with large space, modern structure alongside its own history. the site has become a particular place which can possibly hold attraction for domestic as well as international visitors.

Opening hours: From 7.30 to 11.30 A.M and 13 to 17 P.M (except conference and meeting days)

Xa Loi pagoda

Situated in the place whose address is 89, Ba Huyen Thanh Quan street, district 3, Ho Chi Minh city.

Buit in 1956 thanks to contribution of inhabitants living around 21 provinces and towns of the south. Viet Nam Buddha study association put up this pagoda to worship Xa Loi Phat.

People has got used to calling it Xa Loi pagoda, therefore, during the time that it officially opens, it is named Xa Loi pagoda followed that calling way.

Worship area on the first floor is decorated simply and solemnly.

Also, this pagoda has been chosen to be the place where general office of Viet Nam Buddha association is located.

Cu Chi tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are located approximately 17 kilometers northwest of Ho Chi Minh City in Phu My Hung commune, Cu Chi district. This is a famous historical vestige of the city.

This unique construction is a main axis system having many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The underground network provided sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, hospitals, and other social rooms. Moreover, these very tunnels have been put up in battle against French force in 1948 with just enough space for a person to walk along by bending or dragging. However, parts of the tunnels have been modified to accommodate visitors.

Cu Chi tunnels are considered to be hometown of tunnel war. Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels provides a better understanding of the prolonged resistance war of the Vietnamese people and also of the persistent and clever character of the Vietnamese nation.

Ben Thanh market

Ben Thanh market has long been one of Saigon's most famous landmark. The market has been in existence since the French occupation. The original market was located on the shores of river. Its proximity to the fort and the river where merchants and soldiers would land was reason for its name (Ben meaning pier or port and Thanh meaning fort. When the French invaded Saigon, Ben Thanh Market was destroyed.

It was rebuilt shortly thereafter and remained standing until it was moved to its present location and in 1985, it was repaired totally.

(Source: Viet Nam tour-guild book)