Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office: A Stunning French Colonial Masterpiece | Vietnam Purple Travel Guide

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The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the city’s most iconic and well-preserved colonial-era buildings. Located in the heart of District 1, directly across from Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, this grand structure is not only a functioning post office but also a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Vietnam’s colonial past.
With its elegant French architecture, historic interior, and central location, the Saigon Central Post Office is a must-see for anyone visiting Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office - A Masterpiece of French Colonial Architecture

Construction of the Saigon Central Post Office took place between 1886 and 1891, during the height of French colonial rule in Indochina. While many sources mistakenly attribute its design solely to Gustave Eiffel (the same architect behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris), the building was in fact designed by Alfred Foulhoux, a prominent French architect who oversaw many major projects in Saigon at the time. Eiffel’s engineering firm may have contributed to the iron structural elements, but the aesthetic and architectural design is more accurately credited to Foulhoux.
The building blends Neo-Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles, featuring a bright yellow façade, elegant arched windows, and a green-shuttered arcade. The layout and vaulted ceiling were inspired by grand European train stations, reflecting the French emphasis on symmetry, scale, and public grandeur.

What to See Inside the Central Post Office

The interior of the Central Post Office is just as impressive as its exterior. The building’s expansive hall features a high arched roof supported by iron girders, intricate floor tiling, and a large portrait of Ho Chi Minh overlooking the service counters. Two large historic maps painted on the walls depict ‘Saigon and Surroundings’ (1892) and ‘Telegraphic Routes of Southern Vietnam and Cambodia’, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s colonial-era geography and communication networks.

Key features inside include:

• A large portrait of Ho Chi Minh at the far end of the hall

• Old-fashioned wooden phone booths once used for international calls

• Historic maps of Saigon and Southern Vietnam painted on the walls, dating back to the early 1900s

• A variety of souvenir and stamp shops in the center, perfect for collectors and tourists

• Working mail counters on the sides where visitors can send postcards from Vietnam to anywhere in the world

Despite its age, the post office is still operational and functions as a working postal hub, where locals and tourists can buy stamps, mail postcards, and exchange currency. A number of souvenir shops and philately counters line the hall, selling unique Vietnamese gifts, postcards, and reproduction art prints.
If you are like us, and regularly send post cards with local stamps to friends and family, this is the perfect place to do it. The personnel will understand you when you say post card or letter to xyz country. You will then pay for the stamp(s) in cash, write your post card, and put it in an unsecured pile with a hundred or so other post cards that is sitting on the counter. And before you ask: Yes, our cards arrived after a few weeks.

Here are some photos that we took:

Historical Significance of the Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office

The historical significance of the Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office extends far beyond its architectural beauty. During the French colonial era, it served as the main postal and telegraph hub for French Indochina, a vital nerve center for communication and administration across the vast colonial territory. It symbolized modernity and progress, showcasing the technological advancements of the late 19th century.
Following Vietnam's independence and reunification in 1975, the post office seamlessly transitioned into serving the needs of the newly unified nation. It continued its essential role as a central point for postal services, adapting to the changing demands of communication. This continuity highlights its enduring relevance, transcending its colonial origins to become a cherished national symbol.

Opening Hours

Daily from 7am to 7pm

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.

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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

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