Saigon Central Post Office is notable for its perfect combination of neo-classical European architecture and Asian decorations. This magnificent post office attracts a large number of domestic and foreign visitors, making it a must-see when you are in Ho Chi Minh City. During your trip to Ho Chi Minh City, besides exploring numerous stunning attractions and enjoying delectable local specialties, you should not miss out on an opportunity to visit Saigon Central Post Office. Coming here, you can not only admire the architectural features of a bygone era but also catch a glimpse of the old Saigon.
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Where is Saigon Central Post Office?
Since Saigon Central Post Office is located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, it is very convenient for tourists to get here from any part of the city. There are some popular means of transportation for tourists to choose from, including public buses, motorbikes, taxis, and cars.
If you have a personal vehicle, there are some parking areas near the post office. If you want to take the bus, you can catch buses number 03, 06, 19, or 45. They all make a stop on Cong Xa Paris Street, which is only a short walk away from Saigon Central Post Office.
The long-established Saigon Central Post Office history
The history of Saigon Central Post Office dates back to the late nineteenth century when Vietnam was part of French Indochina. After successfully invading Saigon in 1863, the French started establishing a communication system by constructing the Saigon Telegraph-wire Department, which was the precursor of the Saigon Central Post Office. The designer of this building was Gustave Eiffel, who was the architect of some iconic constructions including the Eiffel Tower (Paris), Statue of Liberty (New York), and Long Bien Bridge (Hanoi).
On January 13th, 1863, the department was inaugurated to serve the locals. As it could not meet the steadily increasing demand of the people, the Saigon Telegraph-wire Department was reconstructed in 1886 based on the architectural idea of Villedieu and his associate Foulhoux. After five years of construction, the new Saigon Central Post Office was officially put into operation. As one of the most iconic and attractive symbols of Ho Chi Minh City, the post office is maintained periodically and has been standing until now.
What are the highlights of Saigon Central Post Office architecture?
The magnificent Saigon Central Post Office, Vietnam’s largest post office and oldest colonial structure, is a vital part of Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial legacy, which attracts visitors with its aesthetic and historical values. Despite having been in operation for more than 100 years, Saigon Central Post Office’s enduring beauty has not faded over time. It features a distinctive mix of elegant French architecture and artistic Asian elements.
Exterior
Saigon Central Post Office, like other architectural works built during the French colonial period in Vietnam, has a stunning facade that features the spectacular characteristics of French architecture with yellow walls, arched doors and windows, and decorative reliefs.
Right at the top of this magnificent post office in Saigon, there is a massive clock that has been running for more than 130 years. Notably, the names of numerous well-known scientists and inventors of the telegraph industry, such as Benjamin Franklin, Alessandro Volta, and Michael Faraday, are engraved on rectangular cells stretching from the center to the sides of the building.
Interior
Entering the post office, you will see a hanging huge portrait of President Ho Chi Minh in the center, who was the great leader of the Vietnamese revolution in the twentieth century. Covering the whole length of the post office is a dome roof created in a highly sophisticated arched structure and supported by a row of pillars on the two sides.
On both sides of the post office’s walls, there are two large meticulously drawn maps, one depicts Saigon and its neighborhoods in 1892, while the other illustrates the network of telegraph lines across Vietnam and Cambodia in 1936. If you want to find somewhere to rest after exploring this charming post office, you can freely sit on the rows of wooden chairs along the hall.
Saigon Central Post Office, one of the most iconic symbols of Ho Chi Minh City, is a must-visit Ho Chi Minh tourist attraction for those who are fond of French architecture and want to send a letter or postcard to their beloved. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam’s beautiful Ho Chi Minh City, make sure to include this location in your itinerary!
