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Ho Chi Minh City has always been the busiest and most famous tourist destination in Vietnam. The beauty of this city is always associated with the blend of modernity and ancient features of the past.
Time changes and the world innovates, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has also built iconic projects for the new era such as Landmark 81, Bitexco Financial Tower, Thu Thiem Bridge 2, etc. However, in terms of classicism, this city still preserves masterpieces that completely defy the changes of time, they are the Independence Palace, Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, Cu Chi Tunnels, and especially the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office.
The Ho Chi Minh City Post Office has been one of the most famous and iconic attractions in HCMC for a very long time, thanks to its unique architecture and traces of the city's past.
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1. An Overview of the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office
Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, also known as Saigon Central Post Office, is located at No. 2 Paris Commune Square, District 1, HCMC.
On January 13, 1863, the post office was opened to residents for the first time and issued the first stamp. This is the first version of the post office, it was designed by Gustave Eiffel. From 1886 to 1891, the building was rebuilt by French architect Villedieu, and it is the Saigon Post Office we see to this day.
After more than 130 years of existence, on May 9, 2023, this post office was honored as one of "the 11 Most Beautiful Post Offices Around the World" by Architectural Digest magazine, and it ranked 2nd.
- Opening Hours: Central Post Office is open from 6:00 am - 10:00 pm.
- Ticket Price: Free.
2. Architecture of Saigon Central Post Office
Saigon Central Post Office is designed with Renaissance and Gothic architecture and harmoniously combined with Eastern architecture. The extremely sophisticated point of this project is that all the details are assembled in a symmetrical and balanced way through a central "axis".
2.1. The External Architecture
When walking to the main gate, tourists will see a giant clock hanging above with the construction year "1886 - 1891" below. The old green windows are decorated in rectangular boxes and on them are the names of French inventors who contributed to telegraphy and electricity. They are Benjamin Franklin, Alessandro Volta, and Michael Faraday.
The system of 20 columns and pillars of the facade has a square block structure. On the capitals of the columns between the arches are reliefs of many other gods in Greek mythology such as Poseidon (Neptune), the god of the sea, and Niké, the goddess of victory.
2.2. The Internal Architecture
When you step inside the Saigon Post Office, you can see the building's main color is pale yellow combined with white moldings and reliefs and green louvered windows, creating an irresistible beauty.
The highlight of the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office is probably the system of large roofs and domes covering the entire length of the Post Office. This is the style of design influenced by architectural styles in Western European churches.
The building also has an arch system close to the main door and a long arch inside. The large arch is supported by four iron pillars located at four corners, each pillar supporting four iron trusses radiating out to all four sides. The long arch is supported by two rows of iron pillars on both sides. The connection points between the pillars and iron trusses are elaborately designed and carved into beautiful patterned details. With this arch system, the building becomes tall, spacious, and airy, suitable for a place that welcomes many guests in one day.
The somewhat subtle point is that the windows of the side blocks of the building are arched, while the windows of the middle block are rectangular.
Looking straight at the building, taking the clock as the main axis, the left and right sides of the Post Office have 9 arches. In Asia, number 9 represents eternity, and is also believed to be associated with the emperor and the element Fire - the element of motivation and truth.
3. Other Unique Details of Saigon Post Office
Besides the above architectural features, Saigon Central Post Office also has unique details that only this place has.
3.1. The Two Ancient Maps
On the wall are two ancient maps inlaid about the history of the formation of the Saigon telecommunications system: the right one is a map of Saigon and its surrounding areas (1892) and the left one is a map of the telegraph lines of South Vietnam and Cambodia (1936).
3.2. Rows of Wooden Chairs and Phone Booths
The rows of wooden chairs here are over a hundred years old and when you sit down, you will feel like you are waiting for a train.
In addition, this place still maintains 14 phone booths divided into two sides of the main hall to serve residents and tourists with communication needs as well as nostalgia for a bygone era.
3.3. The Portrait of President Ho Chi Minh
In the middle of the Post Office lobby is the image of the great President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam's greatest celebrity.
He was the one who liberated the Vietnamese people and his name was given to this city, causing it to be changed from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City.
3.4. Souvenir Counter Area
On the left and right wings are two stairs leading to souvenir stalls along the halls. This place sells items from porcelain vases, jars, dolls, stuffed animals, cups, etc., all bearing images of Vietnam.
3.5. Service Area
Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office still operates normally to serve people with modern communication services in addition to many traditional services such as timed parcels, express delivery, souvenir cultural products, flower delivery, etc.
Specifically, they have 4 rows of large wooden tables lined up inside to serve people who need to declare and take notes to send letters and parcels, and 38 customer service counters.
3.6. The Statues of Saigon Central Post Office
In front of the building is a monument to soldiers delivering posts and information during the resistance war and the modern development period, built on the occasion of celebrating Saigon's 300th anniversary.
3.7. Mr Duong Van Ngo - A Legend of Saigon Central Post Office
Mr. Duong Van Ngo was an employee of the Saigon Central Post Office. He had written many handwritten letters for illiterate people and wrote and translated millions of letters and postcards sent all over the world.
With a career spanning more than 70 years, he was recognized by the Vietnam Record Book Center as the longest-serving letter writer in Vietnam in 2009 and was also known as the last handwritten letter writer in Vietnam.
Many foreign tourists come here, and in addition to admiring the architectural beauty, they also want to hear him tell the story of this city. Although he passed away in 2023, his contributions make him worthy of gratitude in this article and every time someone mentions the name Saigon Post Office.
4. How To Get To Saigon Central Post Office?
If you want to get here by bus, take bus numbers: 03, 120, 19, 30, 93. You can drive or rent a personal vehicle, find a taxi, or book a motorbike taxi. And if you want to go slowly to fully see the beauty of Saigon, take a cyclo.
5. Entertainment Venues Near Saigon Central Post Office
Saigon Post Office is also located near many hotels, coffee shops, and other famous tourist destinations such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Opera House, Ben Thanh Market, Jade Emperor Pagoda, Thien Hau, Saigon Chinatown, etc. Visitors can even walk to the above places.
6. NOTES
- Before traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, tourists should learn in advance about the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City, however, IZITour recommends that you visit this place from December to April. These are the dry season months that are very suitable for traveling.
- Saigon Central Post Office's peak hours are from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., so avoid these times if you don't like crowds.
Since Saigon Central Post Office still functions as Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office, you can try sending a handwritten letter or a postcard to your dear family and friends back home while traveling in Vietnam.
Whether in the past or present, Saigon Central Post Office is always proud to be one of the symbols of Ho Chi Minh City - the largest economic center and cultural capital of Vietnam. Therefore, once you set foot in Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City, don't forget to visit this place!
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