Are you visiting the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City? If so, one of the most iconic things to do is visit the Saigon Central Post Office…and here’s why.
When visiting Vietnam, it’s imperative that you visit its largest city. There are plenty of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, like amazing temples and interesting museums, and don’t forget those coffee shops, all worth some time! We loved places like the Chua Phap Hoa Temple, the Jade Emperor’s Temple, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, and of course the AO Show at the Saigon Opera House.
However, one thing on our list, we’d not checked off yet, was the Saigon Central Post Office. We just had to fix that. So we stopped in when we took the Hop On Hop Off Tour of the city, which starts and ends there.
Spoiler Alert! It was just as magnificent as I had read, and I was kicking myself that it took me so long to get there. Don’t make the same mistake I did.
Saigon Central Post Office
What really makes the Saigon Central Post Office a great sight, is the architecture of the building. It was built in the French Colonial style, as many of the older Saigon buildings were, however, this was one of the first.
The architect, Marie-Alfred Foulhoux, was commissioned to build many important buildings after living in the city for several years. His career here culminated in his last and greatest endeavor, the post office.
As you enter the building, look up. The vaulted ceilings with ornate wainscotting and cast iron supports almost transport you to some of the iconic railway stations of Europe, like Budapest or Vienna.
However, there is no mistaking the business at hand, when you notice the wide wooden counters, places to buy all kinds of stamps and postcards, and even the phone booths of yesteryear, all in the massive interior.
As we walked in from the humid temperature of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, we were not only happy to be in some air conditioning, with a few old benches to sit on, but also to watch the comings and goings of many tourists as they check out this old gem.
Also in true Vietnamese fashion, there are souvenir vendors all along the front of the building. From choosing a postcard, writing it, sending it, then looking for some souvenirs, you can easily spend an hour or so here, and I would say it would be totally worth it.
Planning Your Visit
As a working post office, you will definitely want to take in the atmosphere and wonder at the amazing building structure, but spend some time choosing a postcard to send home.
Operating Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Address: 2 Cong Xa Paris Road, District 1
Cost: Free for entrance, but there’s plenty to buy once inside
Things to Do Nearby
- Independence Place
- Ben Thanh Market
- Ho Chi Minh City Museum
- Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History
- Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens
For a great Vietnamese lunch in a nearby rooftop area, go to Secret Garden and try their salads and meat skewers.
Final Thoughts on the Saigon Central Post Office
Whether you pop in while you are taking the Hop On Hop Off bus like we did, or you make a special effort to visit this iconic spot, do it. It’s a beautiful and relaxing respite from the chaotic city traffic and temperatures of Ho Chi Minh City, and I have no doubt your friends and family will love getting a post card from this iconic spot.
Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.
