Reunification Palace - HCMC

The Reunification Palace, known before as the Independence Palace and Norodom Palace prior to that, was the official residence of the former President of South Vietnam. It is also here where the Office of the President, his Command Center so to speak, is located. It is also regarded as the place where the Vietnam War ended; after North Vietnamese T-54 tanks bulldozed their way through the main gate of the complex. The reproductions of these tanks are still displayed on the Palace grounds.

The Reunification Palace

The fountain between the main gate and the façade of the Palace welcomes every visitor to the place. We were very impressed of the elegantly manicured plants that adorn the entrance to the building. I also found the Mahogany trees on the Palace grounds very remarkable; they firmly stand like sentinels guarding the palace.

Among the notable rooms in the Palace include the President’s Room, the Vice President’s Room, and the Cabinet Meeting Room. However, the most impressive among all the rooms is the Credentials Presenting Room because of the lacquer painting found inside it. The Residence of the President is located on the second Floor at the back of the building. An open space in the middle serves as a garden.

There is also a secret passage from the President’s office in the second floor directly leading down to the basement. It is located just next to the door leading to the Ladies' Room and the Cinema.

President's Receiving Room

"The Elephant Tusks signify Power, so only the President may sit on a chair with elephant tusks at the back."

It is here where a foreign ambassador presents his/her credentials to the Vietnamese President.

The Lacquer Painting

The basement served as the Command Post of the South Vietnamese President during the war. There are lots of Maps, old telephones, typewriters, and other paraphernalia. However, look for the room leading to the back portion of the building where films showing the struggle of the Vietnamese people are shown. The film may cause uneasiness to others, especially Americans, as this may be viewed as propaganda against the West.

At the Garden on the 2nd Floor

The Frog Prince?






Receiving area in the President's Office


The Painting at the back depicts the hometown of the former President of South Vietnam



taken at the Map Room

The Carpet, a gift from the First Lady to the President

("The two Phoenixes in the center means Power. On the other hand, the Four Dragons symbolizes the directions North, South, East and West. Hence, if taken together, itmeans that the President has absolute power.")

The President's Office on the second floor

The Ladies' Room

The 3 Great Philosophers

Abstract Painting in the Ladies' Room; like a tank having a battle with an aircraft

The lights in the Ladies' Room is patterned from the lotus flower

On the rooftop

A UH-1 (Huey) helicopter may likewise be seen on the rooftop. It is a replica of the one used by the former President of South Vietnam. Next to it is a marker showing the place bombed by a rouge Vietnamese pilot who defected to the North just before the place was completely overran by the Communists.

Communications room in the basement

The President's Bed in the Combat Duty Bedroom

To the Helipad from the Movie Room

Replica of the Huey Chopper used by the President of South Vietnam

Marks the very same target hit by a North Vietnamese bomb

The Reunification Palace is open daily from 7:30AM to 4:00PM. Please be advised nonetheless that the ticketing booths close for lunch break, from 11:00AM to 1:00PM. The Palace also is closed if there are official functions being held inside or if a foreign VIP/leader is currently having his/her State Visit in Vietnam.

One of the tanks is supposedly Russian-made, while the other is made in China

A replica of one of the tanks that stormed the gates of the Reunification Palace which many regard as the end of the Vietnam War.