Central Post Office Place guide

Besides the Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City Hall, and Ho Chi Minh Square, another Ho Chi Minh must see and Ho Chi Minh tourist attraction is the Central Post Office, which can be found in the Ho Chi Minh City Centre.

History: The Central Post Office of Ho Chi Minh City is an iconic city landmark, known for its French colonial design. Seen as one of the grandest post offices in Southeast Asia, the building was designed by French architect Marie-Alfred Foulhoux, constructed in the late 1800s. Located right next to the Notre Dame Cathedral, travelers can make a trip out of both historical sites in half a day, reliving what life would have been like during the times of the “Indochine” Empire. 

Do: In the post office, visitors can take in the high arched ceiling dotted with windows and wooden shutters, the shiny marble floors with intricate designs, and antiquated telephone boxes. You can also walk around and admire the fascinating paintings of historic maps of South Vietnam, Saigon, and Cholon, and view the magnificent mosaic of Ho Chi Minh at the end of the hall. The paintings serve as reminders of the Vietnamese Asian influence despite the heavily French design.

Despite its colonial characteristics, the post office remains a fully functioning post office, making it possible to send loved ones a postcard or letter. The experience itself is reminiscent of older times, with old fashioned glue pots still around for the purpose of sticking stamps to your letters. You can find postcards and other souvenirs for sale in kiosks on either side of the entrance. They even have a large collection of fictional ‘Tintin in Vietnam’ covers!

If you get the chance, say hi and observe Mr. Duong Van Ngo as he goes about his job. As one of the only public letter writers left in Ho Chi Minh, the 90 year old man was recognized by the Vietnam Guinness Book of Records for his more than 25 years of letter writing, and is a much beloved icon in the post office.

Visit the Post Office as part of this half day Saigon City Scooter Tour, including stops at the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace and more. 

How to get there

• Located in downtown Ho Chi Minh, the Central Post Office is another of the city’s famous landmarks (next to the Notre Dame Saigon), and most public transportation will know where and how to get you there.
  
  
• You can take a bus No. 4 or 7 if you’re coming from the city center, or hail a taxi, Grab (ride-sharing) cyclo, or xe om (motorbike taxi) to get there. 
  
  
• If you’re staying in District 1 Saigon, consider getting to the building on foot, as most tourist areas are within walking distance.

Address: 2 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 710009, Vietnam
Operating hours: 7:00am to 7:00pm
Entrance: Free