Saigon Central Post Office Ho Chi Minh: French Architecture & History

Architectural Grandeur: A European Dream in the Tropics

Step inside the Saigon Central Post Office and feel like you have entered a majestic European train station. Workers built the post office between 1886 and 1891. It showcases a glorious fusion of Gothic, Renaissance, and French colonial styles. While many credit Gustave Eiffel for the design, French architects Villedieu and Foulhoux primarily shaped the current look.

Exterior View: The vibrant yellow façade makes the exterior instantly recognizable. It features arched windows and a large clock above the main entrance. This design lends the building a timeless, sophisticated elegance.
Interior Scale: Inside, the building’s sheer scale takes your breath away. An enormous barrel-vaulted ceiling tops a vast, airy hall. Intricate iron columns support this ceiling. Furthermore, this clever colonial-era engineering keeps the space bright and cool.

A Living Museum of Communication

Unlike many historic sites, the Saigon Central Post Office remains a fully functioning post office today. This unique detail truly breathes life into its history.

Historic Details: Visitors can walk past rows of traditional wooden phone booths. Moreover, they admire two magnificent, old-world painted maps on the side walls. One map illustrates Saigon and its surrounding areas in 1892, and the other shows the telegraph lines of Vietnam and Cambodia in 1936.
Visitor Experience: We suggest purchasing a nostalgic stamp and a postcard. Write a letter home from one of the grand wooden desks. This action creates a tangible connection to a bygone era of global communication.

Essential Visitor Information

Visiting the post office is easy and accessible. Firstly, admission is free of charge for all visitors.

Address: You can find the post office at 02 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam.
Operating Hours: The Post Office generally welcomes visitors Monday – Friday from 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Weekend hours are slightly reduced.
Entrance Fee: Admission is free of charge for all visitors.

Planning Your Visit: To avoid peak crowds and the intense midday sun, plan your visit for the early morning or late afternoon. This timing also offers the best light for photography. Finally, take a moment to sit on the old wooden benches. Soak in the atmosphere—you will experience a fascinating blend of tourists and locals conducting daily business.

4.4

Based on 4984 reviews

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Peter T.

01:56 25 Dec 25

A well-maintained, rustic building preserved from the Vietnam War era, the Saigon Central Post Office is more monument than post office today. Architecturally impressive and rich in history, it’s worth a quick visit to appreciate the design and heritage.

That said, the experience is diluted by the crowds. The interior feels more like a gift-shop complex than a functioning civic space, with souvenir stalls dominating the floor and heavy tourist traffic making it cramped and noisy.

Overall, a visually striking landmark with cultural value, but the over-commercialisation and overcrowding take away from what could have been a more meaningful experience.

Ryan

08:58 19 Dec 25

Visited the Saigon Central Post Office today to send a postcard to my friends and ended up picking up a few magnets as well. I decided to mail everything together as a parcel, which cost around 500,000 VND including the postcard. It would be significantly cheaper if you’re just sending postcards on their own.

Beyond the mailing experience, the architecture is beautiful and well worth a visit the grand hall, high ceilings, and classic details make it one of the most charming colonial buildings in the city. Even if you’re not sending anything, it’s still a great place to stop by and admire.

Melanie E

10:37 17 Dec 25

A beautiful French colonial and Renaissance style building that still operates as a post office. It is located across the street from the Notre Dame Cathedral.

There are a few shops selling souvenirs including old coins and stamps. Inside you will see old phone booths and two maps.

Claudine C.

05:45 22 Oct 25

Visited Saigon Central Post office as part of a tour, so we only made a quick stop. It was quite crowded when we arrived around 2:30 PM. Lots of postcards and cute souvenirs for sale inside and outside. There are tables and chairs where you can write your cards, just bring your own pen.

Postcards sold inside are a slightly pricey (25k–40k VND each). The nearby Book Market also sells similar ones. If you have time, get postcards at Ben Thanh Market instead. I got 3 for 20k VND, same quality and beautiful designs.

Postage costs around 22,500–33,500 VND depending on the destination. The staff are helpful and also sell stamps (mostly 4k, 8k, 15k denominations). Just leave your written and stamped postcards in the small basket near the counter.

Tip: Pre-write your postcards if you can, since it’s hot and crowded inside. Leave space for the stamps. Price for a postcard and enveloped greeting card are not the same. There’s Highlands Coffee right outside if you need a place to cool down. Notre Dame Cathedral is just across the street too.

Got my postcards after 6 weeks they arrived in great condition with a nice red “Par Avion” stamp.

Penny G.

20:38 20 Sep 25

Grand looking building from the outside and beautiful architect interior of the roof and the wall inside. However it was mostly being overshadowed by the tourist shopping trapped inside and out.
It was super packed on the weekend as well so you can't really see all the space that clearly.
But as it close to the book street and Notre Dame cathedral it was nice and easy to stop by!

Aditya S.

10:29 11 Sep 25

My day trip to the Central Post Office was a definite highlight. The building itself is stunning, with its grand French colonial architecture and vibrant yellow facade. Inside, it's a fascinating blend of a historical landmark and a functional, bustling post office. I loved the high vaulted ceilings and the intricate details. You can easily spend time admiring the decor, sending a postcard, or just sitting on a wooden bench to soak in the atmosphere. It's conveniently located next to the Notre Dame Cathedral, making it easy to visit both. The Post Office is a must-see for anyone interested in history and beautiful architecture. 🏫

SHINE from W.

15:38 15 Aug 25

I love this place and come every time to send postcards, when in HCMC. The architecture is so beautiful and overall the place is very well maintained. So you can feel the atmosphere of old times, including phone booths made of solid wood.

To send postcards to Europe will cost you about 35k for stamps. And they have a huge variety of cards to choose. Though, I bought real cute ones at Book street.

Akshat G.

14:32 27 Jul 25

We visited the Central Post Office on 7th July around 10:30 AM, and honestly, it completely exceeded our expectations. Many people might think, “It’s just a post office” — but trust me, it’s so much more than that.

The moment you step inside, you’re hit with this amazing mix of colonial architecture, elegant interiors, and a really lively vibe. The high ceilings, arched windows, and vintage design make it feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s not just a building — it’s a part of Vietnam’s living history.

Inside, there are lots of little shops where you can grab souvenirs, SIM cards, beauty products, and even some snacks. It’s surprisingly convenient and a nice mix of old-world charm and modern hustle.

It was definitely crowded when we were there — tourists, locals, school kids — but in a good way. It just shows how loved this place really is. Despite the crowd, it didn’t feel overwhelming at all; the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.

And here’s the part I loved the most — you can buy a postcard, write something personal, and send it to anyone in the world right from here. There’s something really beautiful about that — in a world of instant messages, writing and sending a real postcard from such a historic place just feels special.

All in all, don’t skip this place thinking it’s just another government building. It’s an experience — beautiful, nostalgic, and full of character. Definitely one of the highlights of our time in Ho Chi Minh City.

John W.

01:31 06 Jul 25

A must-visit landmark when you’re in Ho Chi Minh City. Even though I’ve been here a few times before, the charm of the Saigon Central Post Office never seems to fade. This time I only came to buy a few stamps, but ended up staying much longer, once again drawn in by its timeless beauty.

The architecture is a real showstopper — French colonial with ornate detailing that gives the building an almost palace-like feel. The arched ceiling inside, painted in a mix of green and gold with iron support beams, is visually stunning. The mosaic floor tiles are equally beautiful and well preserved, adding another layer of character. At the far end, the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh watching over the bustling space gives the post office both cultural and historical weight.

There are also old French maps painted directly onto the walls, one showing Southern Vietnam and Cambodia, which is a unique historical touch. Despite being a working post office, it also feels like a museum — and it does get quite warm inside due to the constant stream of visitors.

If you haven’t considered visiting this building yet, definitely put it on your list. It’s both iconic and inspiring.

Wednesday 7:30 AM–6 PM
Thursday 7:30 AM–6 PM
Friday 7:30 AM–6 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM–6 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM–5 PM
Monday 7:30 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 7:30 AM–6 PM

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Saigon Central Post Office Ho Chi Minh: French Architecture & History

Architectural Grandeur: A European Dream in the Tropics

A Living Museum of Communication

Essential Visitor Information