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The Saigon Municipal Opera House, also known as the Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, was first built in 1897 by the French. Primarily meant to entertain French colonists, the building design was also inspired by Palais Garnier and Petit Palais, both located in France.
Interestingly, this opera house is also considered a smaller cousin to the Hanoi Opera House, which was also built by the French (Check out our review of the Hanoi Opera House here!). The architecture is really beautiful, while the theatre itself is also elegant.
Although it was built to be an opera house, it was not so for most of its existence. Concert performances were brought in after dwindling opera audiences, while it stopped functioning altogether after allied bombing damaged it during World War 2. It was also used as a shelter for French civilians when the French were leaving Vietnam after the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. In fact, it was only in 1975, after the reunification of Vietnam, that it started operating as a theatre again. It then underwent a massive renovation that took 2 years, which was completed in 1998.
Interestingly, this opera house is also considered a smaller cousin to the Hanoi Opera House, which was also built by the French (Check out our review of the Hanoi Opera House here!). The architecture is really beautiful, while the theatre itself is also elegant.
Although it was built to be an opera house, it was not so for most of its existence. Concert performances were brought in after dwindling opera audiences, while it stopped functioning altogether after allied bombing damaged it during World War 2. It was also used as a shelter for French civilians when the French were leaving Vietnam after the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. In fact, it was only in 1975, after the reunification of Vietnam, that it started operating as a theatre again. It then underwent a massive renovation that took 2 years, which was completed in 1998.
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For theatre-goers, you will be pleased to find that there are currently three performances done on a rotational basis. While we were there, we did not have the chance to catch a show, but believe they are really great to enjoy. Be sure to book early, since there are different seat options that can really affect your viewing experience!
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Address: 07 Cong Truong Lam Son, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening hours: Shows generally start at 6pm or 8.30pm
Website to book tickets: https://www.luneproduction.com/
Cost: Concert tickets range from 700,000 VND to 1,600,000 VND
Opening hours: Shows generally start at 6pm or 8.30pm
Website to book tickets: https://www.luneproduction.com/
Cost: Concert tickets range from 700,000 VND to 1,600,000 VND