Overview
The Saigon Central Post Office is in the heart of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It stands on Cong Xa Paris Street, right opposite the Notre Dame Cathedral. This building was constructed between 1886 and 1891 during the French colonial period. The unique feature is its beautiful architecture. The outside has a bright yellow color, green shutters, and a large clock. The inside has a high arched ceiling, marble floors, and old wooden telephone booths. Many people think the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel designed this building. The post office is not a museum; it still works as a real post office today. You can buy stamps, send postcards, and make international phone calls. It is a living piece of history. The ideal time to visit is in the early morning on weekdays, between 8:00 and 10:00 AM. The light is beautiful for photos, and there are fewer tourists. You should spend 30 to 60 minutes here. The post office is a perfect stop for couples, families, and solo travellers who love history and architecture.
What to see nearby
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is a large red-brick church right across the street from the post office. It was built by the French between 1877 and 1880. The cathedral has two tall bell towers and a statue of the Virgin Mary in front. The bricks came all the way from France. The church is an active place of worship today. You can attend Mass here on Sundays. The cathedral is a popular spot for tourists and local Catholics alike.
- Location: Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 (directly opposite the post office)
- Open time: Daily from 8:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM; Sunday Mass at 9:30 AM in English. Note that the cathedral is undergoing renovations until 2027, so interior access for sightseeing is limited.
- Suggested activities: Take photos of the red-brick facade, attend Sunday Mass, walk around the square, learn about its history
- Must-try local food: Bánh tráng trộn (mixed rice paper salad) from a street vendor near the cathedral – 15,000 VND ($0.65)
- Entry fee: Free
Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)
The Independence Palace is a 20th-century building located just 700 metres from the post office. It was the home and workplace of the president of South Vietnam during the war. On 30 April 1975, a North Vietnamese tank crashed through its gates, marking the end of the Vietnam War. Inside, you can see the president's living rooms, meeting halls, and the war command room in the basement.
- Location: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- Open time: 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM daily (no entry after 3:30 PM)
- Suggested activities: Explore the basement war command room, walk in the gardens, see the tanks outside, learn about Vietnamese history
- Must-try local food: Hủ tiếu Nam Vang (noodle soup) at a small restaurant near the palace – 50,000 VND ($2.10)
- Entry fee: Palace only: 40,000 VND ($1.52) per adult. Palace and exhibition hall combo: 65,000 VND ($2.45) per adult
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is a small, quiet pedestrian street located between the post office and Notre Dame Cathedral. It is only 100 metres long, but it has more than 20 bookshops and stalls. The street is lined with trees, benches, and small cafes. It is a calm place to escape from the busy city. You can find books in many languages, including English and French. It is a favourite spot for both locals and tourists who love reading.
- Location: Between Le Loi Street and Mac Thi Buoi Street, District 1
- Open time: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily
- Suggested activities: Browse through bookshops, buy a Vietnamese book or postcard, sit at a cafe, take photos of the art installations
- Must-try local food: Sinh tố bơ (avocado smoothie) at a café on the street – 35,000 VND ($1.50)
- Entry fee: Free
Ben Thanh Market
Introduction: Ben Thanh Market is the oldest and most famous market in Ho Chi Minh City. It is about a 10-15 minute walk from the central post office. The market has nearly 1,500 stalls selling clothes, shoes, souvenirs, fresh fruit, coffee, and spices. You can also find a large food court with many local dishes. The market is very crowded and busy, but that is part of its charm. At night, the area outside turns into a lively night market.
- Location: Le Loi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- Open time: Day market: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Night market: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily
- Suggested activities: Bargain for souvenirs, try street food, buy Vietnamese coffee beans, practise your bargaining skills, take photos of the clock tower
- Must-try local food: Bánh xèo (Vietnamese crispy pancake) at a food stall inside the market – 35,000 VND ($1.50)
- Entry fee: Free
Suggested 1-Day Multi-Point Itinerary
Start your day at 8:00 AM at the Saigon Central Post Office. Spend 45 minutes taking photos of the architecture, writing a postcard, and sending it home. At 8:45 AM, cross the street to the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral. Walk around the square and take photos of the red-brick exterior. Spend 30 minutes here. At 9:15 AM, walk to Nguyen Van Binh Book Street (2 minutes). Spend 30 minutes browsing the bookshops and enjoying a coffee at a small cafe. At 10:00 AM, walk 10 minutes to the Independence Palace. Spend 1.5 hours exploring the main building and the basement war command room. At 11:30 AM, walk 15 minutes to Ben Thanh Market for lunch. Try bánh xèo or broken rice with BBQ pork. After lunch at 1:00 PM, explore the market for souvenir shopping. Finish your day at 3:00 PM. If you still have energy, walk one minute to the Ben Thanh Night Market area. This itinerary includes five attractions within walking distance of each other. All entry fees are free except the Independence Palace.
Pro-Traveler Experience Tips
Bring cash for stamps and souvenirs: The souvenir stalls inside the post office prefer cash in Vietnamese Dong. You can buy postcards for 5,000 – 15,000 VND ($0.20 – $0.65) each. Stamps for international postcards cost about 15,000 – 30,000 VND ($0.65 – $1.30). Bring small notes for easier payment.
Send a postcard home: This is a very special activity. You can sit at the long wooden tables inside the main hall and write a postcard. The post office will stamp it with a unique postmark. This makes a wonderful keepsake for your trip and a nice surprise for your family at home.
Visit in the morning: The best natural light for photos is between 8:00 and 10:00 AM. Large tour groups usually arrive after 10:00 AM. If you come early, you will have the building almost to yourself. Weekend mornings are also quieter than weekdays.
Look up at the ceiling: Most visitors look at the souvenir stalls and miss the beautiful iron arches above. The vaulted ceiling was designed to look like a European train station. It is very high and very impressive.
Find the historical maps: On the walls of the main hall, you will see two large hand-painted maps. One map shows Saigon and its surroundings from 1892. The other map shows telegraph lines to Cambodia from 1936. These maps are original and over 130 years old.
Don't miss the telephone booths: The old wooden telephone booths on the sides of the hall have been turned into modern ATMs. It is a funny mix of old and new. Take a photo of this interesting design choice.
Stay hydrated: Ho Chi Minh City is hot and humid all year. Bring a bottle of water with you. There are small shops outside the post office where you can buy cold drinks for 10,000 – 20,000 VND ($0.45 – $0.85).
Combine your visit with lunch at Ben Thanh Market: The market is only a 10-minute walk away. After visiting the post office and the cathedral, walk to the market for a delicious Vietnamese lunch. The food is fresh, cheap, and authentic.
