📅 Updated: 29 July 2026
The Reunification Palace (also called Independence Palace) in Ho Chi Minh City is the single best place to understand modern Vietnamese history — and one of the country's finest examples of 1960s modernist architecture.
Official 2026 hours are 07:00–18:00 daily, the full-site adult ticket is 80,000 VND (about US$3.10), and you should allow 1.5–2.5 hours.
The front facade, lawn and fountain make up the classic view of the palace.
Reunification Palace 2026 hours, address and tickets
| Item | Details | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Opening hours | 07:00–18:00 | Open daily; special events or national arrangements may be announced separately. |
| Ticket offices | Nam Ky Khoi Nghia gate 07:00–18:00; Nguyen Du gate 08:00–16:00 | Do not arrive close to closing time. |
| Full-site adult ticket | 80,000 VND (about US$3.10) | Covers the main palace and the exhibition “From Norodom Palace to Independence Palace 1868–1966”. |
| Single-section adult ticket | 40,000 VND (about US$1.55) | Either the main palace or the exhibition, not both. |
| Electric shuttle | 25,000 VND per person per ride (about US$1) | Subject to availability on the day. |
What to see at the Reunification Palace
- The credentials room and banquet hall:The rooms kept for state ceremony and diplomatic occasions.
- The presidential offices and meeting rooms:Furniture, carpets and finishes preserved exactly as 1960s design.
- The underground command bunker:Telecoms equipment, maps and war rooms — the part that explains what the building was actually for.
- The roof and gardens:A close look at the sun-screen facade, the helicopter on display and the view down the main approach.
- The exhibition hall:Fills in the story from Norodom Palace to Independence Palace.
Best time to visit and practical notes
December to Aprilis the driest stretch; from May to November afternoon thunderstorms are common. Aim for 07:00–09:30 or after 15:00 to miss both the midday heat and the tour groups. There are stairs and a fair amount of underground space, so check accessible routes if you are visiting with older parents, and dress appropriately for a public historic site.
How to get to the Reunification Palace
The palace is in central Ho Chi Minh City, easily reached by Grab, taxi or city bus, and within walking distance of Ben Thanh Market, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. If your day also includes the War Remnants Museum, Cho Lon or several sights across different districts, a private car saves repeatedly booking rides and waiting.
A half-day walking route
Reunification Palace → 30/4 Park → Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon → Central Post Office → Book Street → War Remnants Museum.
The first four stops are close together on foot; if you want to add Cho Lon, the Pink Church or Landmark 81, switch to a private car.
Where to eat near the Reunification Palace
You do not need to go far after visiting. All of these are in central District 1 and work for lunch or dinner.
Quán Ngon 138
At 138 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, with dishes from across Vietnam — handy on a first visit if you want pho, spring rolls and central or southern specialities in one place.
Secret Garden
At 158 Pasteur, known for home-style Vietnamese cooking and a rooftop garden setting. The entrance is easy to miss, and it suits a long, slow meal.
Au Parc Saigon
At 23 Hàn Thuyên, near the Central Post Office and 30/4 Park, serving Mediterranean-style brunch — an easy stop between central sights.
Opening hours, waiting times and branch details change, so check on the day; book ahead for peak meal times.
Reunification Palace FAQ
Yes. Reunification Palace, Independence Palace and Dinh Độc Lập all refer to the same building, and signage and guidebooks use the names interchangeably.
The full-site ticket covers both the main palace and the exhibition hall; the single-section ticket covers only one of them. On a first visit, the full-site ticket is usually the right choice.
About 90 minutes at a brisk pace, or 2–2.5 hours to do the main palace, the bunker and the exhibition properly.
Yes — the two are close together and make a natural half-day history route.
Reunification Palace location map
Related guides in southern Vietnam
These are the places most often combined with this one — useful if you are still filling out the route.
- Ho Chi Minh City: 3 Days, 2 Nights Sights, food and nightlife itinerary
- Ben Thanh Market Guide What to buy and how to bargain
- Tan Dinh Pink Church Guide Photos, transport and nearby sights
- Saigon Café Apartment Guide The entrance, the lift, photos and choosing a café
- Best Cafés in Ho Chi Minh City Retro coffee shops and photogenic favourites
