The Independence Palace is one of my favorite attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. I’ve visited several times but came by again the other day for new photos and current information. If you’re visiting Ho Chi Minh City for the first time, this should be added to your itinerary.
On my recent visit to the palace, I filmed this video from inside the courtyard. Wandering the palace grounds is a pleasant experience when the weather isn’t too humid. See my guide on the best time to visit HCMC.
The palace was the site of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese army tank crashed through the gates, leading to South Vietnam’s surrender. You can read more about Independence Palace’s history here.
If you have any questions about visiting the palace or any other things to do in HCMC, ask me and other travelers in my Ho Chi Minh City travel planning group.
Details for Visiting the Independence Palace
- Ticket hours: 8 AM to 3:30 PM daily
- Operation hours: 8 AM to 4:30 PM daily
- Location: Google Maps
- Cost to visit: Varies (see picture below)
- More info: Official website
- Plan to spend 1.5 to 2 hours total (for the palace and the exhibition)
- The palace has elevators
- No time limit
- Wander freely (the grounds and palace)
- Friendly and helpful staff around to answer questions
- Bathrooms inside the palace
- Coffee shops on the grounds
- Vending machines with cold drinks inside
- No air conditioning in the palace
Independence Palace Location
The palace is located in a very central area of District 1. If you stay in District 1 or nearby in District 3, you’ll be able to walk to the palace easily. I’ve written a separate guide to the best areas to stay in HCMC.
If you don’t want to walk or are a bit further out, hiring a Grab taxi is easy and cheap. You can download the app here. You can add your credit card to the app or pay with cash and have the driver drop you off right at the palace. Learn more about getting around HCMC here.
The Silverland Yen Hotel (Agoda / Booking) is in a great location in District 1, five minutes from the entrance to the palace. For something in District 3, check out the Au Lac Legend Hotel (Agoda / Booking).
Is the Independence Palace Worth Visiting?
Yes, absolutely. It’s inexpensive to visit, the palace and its grounds are well maintained, and it’s steeped in history — one of my reasons for visiting HCMC. Plus, it’s very easy to get to. The palace is part of my three-day HCMC itinerary, too.
Visiting the palace itself costs 40.000 VND for adults and 10.000 VND for children.
What I like about visiting the Independence Palace is that you can go in any direction you want, freely wandering in and out of the palace, its floors, and all over the grounds. Once inside the palace, you aren’t ushered in any specific direction. There are a lot of staff members on hand to answer any questions.
There are six floors to discover in the palace, including a bunker. There are elevators and bathrooms scattered about the palace.
There is a separate exhibition on the grounds, inside a two-story house, that details the history “From Norodom Palace to Independence Palace 1868 – 1966.” This requires an additional ticket or can be purchased as part of a combo ticket with the palace. This costs 25.000 VND for adults and 5.000 VND for children.
This exhibit has several photograph displays and projection videos throughout the building. There is also good air conditioning inside, so it’s a good place to get cool for a bit.
There are audio tours and electric car tours available. These are 90.000 VND and 15.000 VND, respectively.
You can grab free maps for both the palace and the grounds from the information counter just inside the palace and to the right.
Visiting the Independence Palace
The following photos were taken as I wandered around the palace and then out onto the grounds. I started on the first floor, then went down to the bunker, then up to the ground floor, and then up to the second, third, and fourth floors.
The First Floor
The first floor of the palace has the cabinet room, the state banquet hall, the central staircase, and the conference hall. There is also an information desk with maps, pamphlets, and some friendly staff members.
The Bunker
The bunker has a command center, communication center, the president’s bedroom, the president’s war room, a security room…and a lot of long hallways.
You can take the stairs up from the bunker to the ground floor or to the first floor. I went up on the other end and arrived on the ground floor.
The Ground Floor
The palace’s ground floor has bathrooms, a souvenir shop, a shooting gallery display, vehicles on display, and documentary film screening rooms in different languages.
After the ground floor, I skipped the first floor and went to the second floor.
The Second Floor
The palace’s second floor has, among other rooms, the presidential office, the presidential reception rooms, the vice president’s reception room, the vice president’s office, private apartments, and the president’s bedroom.
There is also a balcony. I filmed this video from the palace balcony on the second floor. Straight ahead is Le Duan Street.
The Third Floor
The palace’s third floor has the cinema, library, the first lady’s reception room, and the games room. There are bathrooms scattered among the floors.
The Fourth Floor
The fourth floor has a small stand selling cold drinks and places to sit. You can also step out onto the roof and get pictures.
The Palace Grounds
You can freely wander the palace grounds. I’ve gone into the palace, then exited from one location, walked on the grounds, and re-entered the palace.
There are tanks, an airplane, tennis courts, the Norodom Palace exhibition (requires a separate ticket purchased at the entrance), and coffee shops.
I personally found the coffee to be a bit overpriced and underwhelming, but it’s a good place to sit and relax. There is also a vending machine with cold drinks in the area after purchasing your ticket.
