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Ho Chi Minh City Museum, also known as the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, is located just behind the corner of Ho Chi Minh City Hall, and is a great museum to visit.
Interestingly, this building was constructed back in 1890, and was meant to display products made in the South area of Vietnam. However, it soon became a palace for the deputy southern governor, before becoming the Southern King’s special envoy’s palace.
Over the years, it was a palace for different individuals, before becoming Ngo Dinh Diem’s headquarters. It was also during this period that an underground shelter was built, which is still accessible today. In one of the exits, it leads you out to one of the museum’s gardens, where government officials can presumably make their way out of the complex safely.
Interestingly, this building was constructed back in 1890, and was meant to display products made in the South area of Vietnam. However, it soon became a palace for the deputy southern governor, before becoming the Southern King’s special envoy’s palace.
Over the years, it was a palace for different individuals, before becoming Ngo Dinh Diem’s headquarters. It was also during this period that an underground shelter was built, which is still accessible today. In one of the exits, it leads you out to one of the museum’s gardens, where government officials can presumably make their way out of the complex safely.
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After the reunification of Vietnam, the building was turned into a museum, and is now known as Ho Chi Minh City Museum. In fact, this museum has also become a popular place for locals to take their wedding photos. We actually saw one couple doing just that during our visit. Do note that the museum charges 400,000 VND per couple for taking wedding photos, a reasonable fee if you ask us!
This museum focuses on the city as a whole, when it was still called Saigon, before becoming Ho Chi Minh City. It has a section that focuses on the importance of the city to Vietnam, and how it has contributed to the economy. From this section, you can also understand how important the shipping industry was to Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.
It also showcases important traditions to visitors, such as how a traditional wedding was held in Southern Vietnam in the olden days. Traditional musical instruments can also be seen, while there are various types of currency on display, which shows influences from the Chinese, Japanese, and Europeans.
This museum focuses on the city as a whole, when it was still called Saigon, before becoming Ho Chi Minh City. It has a section that focuses on the importance of the city to Vietnam, and how it has contributed to the economy. From this section, you can also understand how important the shipping industry was to Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.
It also showcases important traditions to visitors, such as how a traditional wedding was held in Southern Vietnam in the olden days. Traditional musical instruments can also be seen, while there are various types of currency on display, which shows influences from the Chinese, Japanese, and Europeans.
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Of course, the Vietnam War played an important role in this city, and there are also artefacts to represent this period. Take a look at some of the weapons and equipment used in the war, and see what the Americans were up against during that period.
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Being a museum in Vietnam, it is inevitable that there were military equipment left after the war. Take a look at the different aircraft in the museum, including the famous UH-1 Huey and F-5 fighter jet.
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This museum is a must-visit, and you will leave getting a better sense of the history of this city, right from its beginning, to the time it was named Saigon, before it was called Ho Chi Minh City!
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Address: 65 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: 7.30am 11am; 1pm to 6pm daily
Cost: 30,000 VND
Opening hours: 7.30am 11am; 1pm to 6pm daily
Cost: 30,000 VND