This is a restored five-floor time warp to the Sixties left largely untouched from the day before Saigon fell to the North. Formerly South Vietnam’s Presidential Palace, the war ended on April 30, 1975 when tank #843 — now parked on the lawn outside — crashed through the gate. Be sure to check out the impressively kitschy recreation room, featuring a circular sofa, and the eerie basement, full of vintage 1960s phones, radios, and office equipment, supposedly left exactly as it was found when the North took over. There is also a photo gallery and a propaganda film recounting how the South Vietnamese lackeys and American imperialists succumbed to Ho Chi Minh’s indomitable revolutionary forces, upon which point the lackeys were forgiven and everyone lived happily ever after. Tours are available, but not necessary. There is a nice outdoor café on the grounds outside the palace. Entry 15,000 dong.

On this day in History..

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2 Responses to “Saigon Secrets : Independence Palace”

  1. on 21 Nov 2007 at 10:19 PMpenny

    Nice place. 15,000 dong equivalent to RM…?

  2. on 22 Nov 2007 at 7:47 AMthe-reflector

    RM 1.00 equals about 4200 Dong :)

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