Top 10 French Architectural Landmarks Built in Ho Chi Minh City

The Dragon House Wharf served as the headquarters of the Saigon port, located along the Saigon River. Built in 1863, it was one of the first constructions by the French colonizers after they took control of Saigon - Gia Dinh. The building was designed in Western architectural style, but the top of the structure features two dragon statues, symbolizing the “two dragons facing the moon.” Due to these dragon figures, the locals have long referred to it as the Dragon House. In 1954, after the French defeat in Indochina, the Dragon House Wharf was handed over to the South Vietnamese government, who renovated the roof and replaced the old dragons with new ones facing outward.
When mentioning The Dragon House Wharf, we cannot forget its historical significance in the context of Vietnam’s revolution. On June 5, 1911, the young Nguyen Tat Thanh, who later became Ho Chi Minh, boarded the French ship Amiral Latouche Tréville under the name Van Ba, beginning his 30-year journey to find a way to free his country. After 1975, the Dragon House Wharf was transformed into the Ho Chi Minh Museum - Ho Chi Minh City branch, part of the network of museums and memorial sites dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. The museum has nine exhibition rooms, six of which display materials and artifacts related to the life and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh, while the remaining three showcase special topics reflecting current political needs at various times.

Location: District 4, Ho Chi Minh City.

Ben Thanh Market is the most bustling market in Ho Chi Minh City and is often considered a symbol of the city named after President Ho Chi Minh. In 1860, the French rebuilt Ben Thanh Market after it was burned down. At that time, the market mostly had stalls run by the Chinese, Indian, and French communities. Around 1911, the market was destroyed again and relocated to its current location. Since then, Ben Thanh Market has continued to operate, undergoing several renovations, and now sells a wide range of products including fabrics, shoes, handicrafts, and fashion items.
Initially, the old market was built in a very basic manner, using bricks, wooden frames, and a thatched roof. After a fire, the market was upgraded with tile and iron roofing. When the market was moved, it was rebuilt with brick and wooden roofing, and the main entrance was designed like a tower. A clock was installed at the front, and the gate was decorated with artistic carvings depicting the specialties of Southern Vietnam.
The market spans 13,056 square meters and attracts about 10,000 visitors daily. There are nearly 1,500 stalls, with 6,000 traders selling a wide range of goods, from affordable everyday items to high-end products, both locally produced and imported. Some of the key items include clothes, shoes, bags, fabrics, handicrafts, carved stones, souvenirs, fresh food, seafood, flowers, fruits, and various traditional dishes that fill the air with enticing aromas and vibrant colors.

Address: District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City is a remarkable structure originally built by the French. It features unique architecture and was once regarded as the most beautiful estate in East Asia. Serving as the residence for the nation’s most powerful figures, it also stands as a symbol of peace and Vietnam’s territorial integrity. Due to its historical significance and beauty, the palace remains a popular tourist destination in the city. Many people may think that the Independence Palace is just a building, but if you’ve heard of the pivotal events of 1975, you’ll understand its deep connection to important moments in history. Along with Ben Thanh Market, this is a must-visit location for those seeking to explore and uncover the city’s historical landmarks.

Today, Independence Palace is situated in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, close to other major attractions such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, 30/4 Park, and the Central Post Office. Over more than a century, it has retained its majestic charm, holding countless secrets, and remains an integral part of Saigon’s identity. Covering 120,000 square meters and standing 26 meters tall, it is a stunning example of architectural ingenuity, designed with feng shui principles and a blend of Eastern and modern influences. Visitors can explore its unique design and enjoy the valuable exhibits displayed inside.

Having withstood various historical phases, the Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City is home to numerous historical artifacts. On the palace’s roof, there is a UH-1 helicopter once used by President Nguyen Van Thieu, alongside two bombs dropped by pilot Nguyen Thanh Trung. Visitors can also see a Mercedes Benz 200 W110 with the license plate VN-13-78 from Germany, a Jeep M152A2 used to transport the last president of the South Vietnam Republic, Duong Van Minh, to the Saigon radio station on April 30, 1975, where he famously declared surrender, as well as tanks 390 and 843, and a F5E fighter jet.

Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Saint Joseph Seminary in Ho Chi Minh City was founded in 1863 by Father Wilbaux and the Paris Foreign Missions Society. After 1975, the seminary was divided into several educational institutions, including an elementary school, a preschool, and a college. The church is now primarily used for services for the foreign Catholic community in the city. Originally, the site included the seminary, St. Paul’s Church, the St. Paul Seminary, a chapel, and a convent, all of which were last renovated in 1960.

After 1975, much of the land from the seminary was repurposed, with sections being used for schools, a cultural center, and residential areas, while part of the east side was demolished to make way for the Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh Highway. The church still holds regular services for foreign Catholics in the city. The exhibition hall features three floors containing collections of antiques, ancient books, relics of martyrs (such as saint bones, swords, and chains), sculptures, and both religious and folk artwork.

The Saint Joseph Seminary has trained 1,485 priests who have served the Diocese of Đàng Trong and now other dioceses within the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City. Among its alumni, 34 bishops have been appointed, including notable figures like Bishop G.B. Nguyễn Bá Tòng, the first Vietnamese bishop, Cardinal Phêrô Nguyễn Văn Nhơn, Cardinal G.B. Phạm Minh Mẫn, Archbishop Phaolô Nguyễn Văn Bình, Archbishop Philipphê Nguyễn Kim Điền, Archbishop Stêphanô Nguyễn Như Thể, and Archbishop Phaolô Bùi Văn Đọc.

Address: 6 Tôn Đức Thắng Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

TAX Shopping Center is one of the oldest and largest commercial hubs in Vietnam. It was originally built during the French colonial era, with its initial construction completed in 1880 at the intersection of Charner Avenue and Bonnard Avenue in the heart of Saigon, near the city hall. In 1914, the Société Coloniale des Grands Magasins opened the Grands Magasins Charner de Saigon. By 1924, the building was renovated and expanded in the Art Deco style to accommodate the elite clientele of the largest city in French Indochina. The grand opening of the store on November 27, 1924, was a lively event widely covered by the media.

During the Republic of Vietnam era, Bonnard Avenue was renamed Le Loi Avenue, and Charner Avenue became Nguyen Hue Avenue. The Grands Magasins Charner officially changed its name to TAX Shopping Center in 1960, located at 135 Nguyen Hue Avenue. In the 1960s, Archbishop Peter Martin Ngô Đình Thục authorized the University of Da Lat to purchase the center, making it property of the Vietnamese Bishops' Council. Following the 1963 coup, the new government seized the center, believing it had ties to the Ngô family. From then on, the building was leased to merchants as a commercial space.

After 1975, with the implementation of economic centralization policies that banned small traders, the TAX Shopping Center was dissolved. The building was taken over by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, ceasing to function as a bustling marketplace. The space was occasionally used for industrial exhibitions showcasing products from state-owned enterprises. The TAX center became a state-run company named the "Children’s Service Store of Ho Chi Minh City," where salespeople wore red scarves and sold primarily children’s toys. In 1981, the building was renamed "Ho Chi Minh City General Department Store" under the management of the city's Department of Commerce. Since 1997, the building has operated under the name "Saigon General Retail Company," managed by the Saigon Trading Group (SATRA).

Address: 135 Nguyen Hue, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon Opera House is one of the oldest examples of European-style architecture in Vietnam, built in 1898. Designed by architects Félix Olivier, Ernest Guichard, and Eugène Ferret, the building reflects the architecture of the French Third Republic. Located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, the opera house faces Lam Son Square and Dong Khoi Street. Positioned centrally, it serves as a multifunctional venue for both theatrical performances and large-scale events. As one of the oldest examples of Western-style architecture in the city, the opera house has become a popular tourist attraction.

Saigon Grand Theatre stands as a striking architectural counterpart to the Hanoi Opera House, showcasing a unique style all its own. Designed by the same architects in 1900, it was built in the "flamboyant" style of the French Third Republic. The façade is heavily influenced by the Petit Palais in Paris, built the same year. The interior is modernized with state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, and the building includes two upper floors with a total seating capacity of 1,800. All decorative elements and the sculptures on both the exterior and interior were created by a renowned French artist, based on designs found in late 19th-century French theatres and sent over from France.

However, the decorative style of the façade has been criticized for being overly elaborate and chaotic. In 1943, some of the excessive ornamental details were removed to give the building a more youthful appearance. In 1998, to mark the 300th anniversary of the founding of Ho Chi Minh City, the government restored the opera house’s original function and revamped some of its decorative elements, including the two female artistic figures and floral garlands. The restoration project cost approximately 25 billion VND at the time.

Address: 7 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Chí Hòa Prison was originally built by the French during their colonial rule, located on the outskirts of the city at the time. It housed political prisoners who opposed the French regime. During the Vietnam War, it served as a detention center for prisoners of the Viet Cong National Front for Liberation of South Vietnam. Today, it is used as a temporary detention center by the Ho Chi Minh City Police for criminal suspects involved in citywide cases.

Covering an area of 7 hectares, Chí Hòa Prison is a three-story building with 238 rooms, including two wings for female inmates. It has housed political prisoners resisting French colonization and the South Vietnamese government. Designed by a Japanese architect, the prison is noted for its unique architecture, blending French colonial elements—sturdy, enclosed, and cool—with Eastern mysticism, such as the principles of the Five Elements and the Bagua (eight trigrams).

Chí Hòa consists of 8 cells designed in a square octagon shape, including areas such as AH, BC, ED, F, I, AB, KG, and G. Though notorious for being an inescapable prison, Chí Hòa has a history of successful escapes, including the famous jailbreak by the criminal Phước "Eight Fingers". Known for its single entrance, it is often referred to as the "gate of death." The prison features a network of tunnels that disorient visitors, creating a maze-like environment where one can easily lose their way.

Address: 324 Hoà Hưng Street, Ward 13, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City and one of the most iconic architectural landmarks in Saigon, attracting visitors both locally and internationally. Originally known as Saigon Cathedral, it began being referred to as Notre-Dame Cathedral in 1959. This magnificent structure is unique not only for its size and beauty but also for the fact that all of its materials, including the nails and bricks, were imported from France. The bricks, which were specially manufactured, remain remarkably clean and retain their bright pink color even after many years. The cathedral's foundation was specially designed to bear ten times the weight of the structure itself. Today, it remains a popular spot for young people who visit to capture iconic images of Saigon.

After the French took over Saigon, they constructed the first church in the city to hold Mass for the Catholic community. Originally, this was a small Vietnamese temple that had been abandoned due to wartime destruction. Father Lefebvre converted this temple into a church. As the church was too small, Admiral Bonard decided in 1863 to begin construction of a new wooden church by the "Kinh Lớn" river. Father Lefebvre conducted the groundbreaking ceremony on March 28, 1863. The wooden structure was completed in 1865 and was initially known as the Saigon Church. Due to damage caused by termites and wood-eating insects, services were temporarily held in the Governor's former palace, which was later transformed into Lasan Taberd School, until the current cathedral was finished.

What is particularly unique about this cathedral is that it has no surrounding wall or fence, unlike other churches in the Saigon - Gia Dinh region. The interior of the church consists of a main nave, two side naves, and two rows of chapels. The total length of the church is 93 meters, the widest point is 35 meters, and the height of the vaulted ceiling reaches 21 meters. The cathedral can accommodate up to 1,200 people. The interior features two rows of rectangular columns, six on each side, symbolizing the 12 apostles. The altar, located at the Sanctuary, is made of solid marble, with six angel statues carved into the stone holding up the altar top. The altar is divided into three sections, each with a sculptural representation of a holy relic. Behind the columns is a corridor leading to several small chapels with over 20 altars and stations of the cross, all crafted from finely detailed white marble.

Address: 1 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon Central Post Office stands as one of the most iconic architectural landmarks in the city. Built by the French between 1886 and 1891, its design features European architectural styles fused with distinct Asian decorative elements, thanks to the work of French architect Villedieu and his assistant Foulhoux. The post office is beloved by many locals, particularly the youth, and also serves as a popular spot for couples to capture memorable moments.

Originally designed by Gustave Eiffel, the building was later reconstructed by Villedieu and Foulhoux after 23 years. Its beautiful features include arched windows, a prominent clock above the main entrance, and the Vietnamese flag fluttering in the breeze. Inside, the vaulted ceiling is supported by two rows of columns and an elaborate iron truss system, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship with decorative motifs.

Beyond the main entrance, two historical maps are displayed on either side of the vaulted ceiling. These maps, “Saigon et ses environs 1892” and “Lignes téléraphiques du Sud Vietnam et du Cambodge 1936,” provide a glimpse into the past. The post office currently offers a range of postal services across 38 counters and maintains an extensive telegraph network connecting Vietnam to the rest of the world.

Address: 2 Cong Xa Paris, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts is a harmonious blend of Eastern (Chinese) and Western (French) architecture, designed by French architect Rivera in 1929 and completed in 1934. In 1987, the building was officially designated as the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts. However, it wasn't until 1992 that it began operating due to a shortage of exhibits. Today, the museum has become one of Vietnam's leading fine arts centers, housing a wide range of sculptures, paintings, and historical art artifacts from both Vietnam and around the world, including valuable works such as the lacquer painting "Spring Garden of North-Central-South" by famous artist Nguyen Gia Tri.

The building was constructed on a plot of land covering 3,514m² in an Art Deco style, a fusion of Eastern and Western art principles. Notably, it was the first building in Saigon to include an elevator in its design. At the time, the elevator shaft was made of wood and decorated with carvings resembling an ancient Chinese palanquin. The roof was covered with red Yin-Yang tiles, and the roof eaves were adorned with green glazed tiles. The windows were fitted with colored glass featuring intricate European-style patterns. The floors were paved with a variety of patterned ceramic tiles, while the staircase was made of marble.

The architectural highlight of the building is the main entrance on the first floor, which features a high lobby with a covered roof, large columns supporting the roof, and staircases on both sides. The entrance is designed in an arch shape, with ironwork ornaments inscribed with the initials H.B.H, referring to Mr. Hua Bon Hoa, the building's original owner. The back entrance also bears a plaque with the names of the building's owners, mostly members of the Hua Bon Hoa family.

Address: 97 Pho Duc Chinh Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.