Top 15 Iconic French Architectural Landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City

One of the oldest architectural marvels in Ho Chi Minh City, the Saigon Opera House is an outstanding example of European-style architecture. This cultural and architectural landmark is situated on Lam Son Square, with the front facade facing the square and Dong Khoi Street. The Opera House is nestled between two major hotels, Caravelle and Continental. Its central location makes it a popular venue for events and a must-visit tourist attraction. Serving as an architectural counterpart to Hanoi's Opera House, the Saigon Opera House was designed by architects Ernest Guichard, Eugène Ferret, and Félix Olivier. Built in 1900, it showcases the 'flamboyant' style from the Third French Republic.

The facade of the Opera House is heavily influenced by the Petit Palais Museum in France, which opened the same year. Inside, the opera house is equipped with modern sound and lighting systems, and it features three floors with a seating capacity of 1,800. The intricate decorations and reliefs on the facade, as well as the interior, were inspired by French 19th-century theater designs. The classic French architectural style is evident in the arches and high balustrades. After the reunification of Vietnam in 1975, the opera house returned to its original function of hosting artistic performances. In 1998, to mark the 300th anniversary of Saigon-Gia Dinh, the local government initiated restoration work to preserve its original architectural style. Many of the decorative elements, including sculptures of the goddess of arts and floral designs, were meticulously restored to their near-original condition.

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

Construction of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Building began in 1898 and was completed in 1909. Designed by architect Femand Gardè, the building was modeled after the bell towers found in northern France. The main facade features sculptural decorations, including a woman, a child taming a wild animal, and two reliefs representing France's colonial ambitions. In front of the building is a large grassy area with benches and flower beds. The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee is the central administrative body of the city, part of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's governmental system.

This building was designed to resemble the City Hall of Paris, with a high central tower flanked by two symmetrical lower towers. The facade design incorporates several European architectural styles, including Renaissance Revival floor plans, Baroque and Rococo sculptural details, and Art Nouveau wrought iron windows. The three central relief sculptures on the building represent the national personification of Marianne, a symbol of the French Republic, embodying the values of liberty, equality, fraternity, and solidarity.

Address: 86 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Ben Thanh Market has a history dating back to the early 17th century, when it was located near the Saigon River and served as a trading hub for local merchants. During the French resistance, the market stood by the Ben Nghe River, serving as a landing point for visitors and soldiers entering the city, which is how it got its name, Ben Thanh Market. The East Gate faces Phan Boi Chau Street, the West Gate faces Phan Chu Trinh, the South Gate faces Le Loi, and the North Gate faces Le Thanh Ton Street. The original market was located by the Ben Nghe River, but after the French occupation of Gia Dinh, the market was destroyed. In 1860, the French rebuilt it on the old site, but by 1911, the market had fallen into disrepair and was at risk of collapse. As a result, the French decided to relocate the market to its present location.

Spanning over 13,000 square meters, the market primarily sells clothes, fabrics, shoes, fashion items, handicrafts, fresh produce, and flowers. It also offers a wide array of street food, showcasing traditional southern Vietnamese dishes. Visitors will be amazed by the variety of items available, from tiny souvenirs like necklaces, earrings, wallets, and scarves to traditional garments and bags. The market truly comes alive at night, with the bustling atmosphere and vibrant exchanges between locals and tourists. This is when Ben Thanh Market shows its true spirit as it transforms into a lively “second Saigon” after dark, where both visitors and locals enjoy shopping and tasting the best local foods.

Address: Le Loi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Ba Rung Pier (Ben Nha Rong) was the headquarters of the Saigon Port, located by the Saigon River. Built in 1863, it was one of the first projects constructed by the French colonizers after they took control of Saigon – Gia Dinh. The building follows Western architectural style, but at the top, two dragons are featured in the traditional Eastern style, symbolizing the concept of 'two dragons bowing to the moon'. Because of these two dragon sculptures, the locals have long referred to the building as 'Nha Rong' or 'Dragon House'. This structure is a blend of Western architecture with Eastern decorative elements, especially the dragons on the roof. Over time, the pier area came to be known as Ben Nha Rong. After renovations, the dragon figures were repositioned to face outward.

After 1975, Ba Rung Pier (Ben Nha Rong) was transformed into the Ho Chi Minh Museum – Ho Chi Minh City branch, part of a nationwide system of museums and memorials dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. The museum contains nine exhibition rooms, six of which display historical materials and artifacts about Ho Chi Minh, while the remaining three rooms feature topical exhibitions reflecting political events and developments. Ba Rung Pier (Ben Nha Rong) is historically significant, as it is linked to the story of Nguyen Tat Thanh (later known as Ho Chi Minh) who left Vietnam from this pier in search of a way to liberate his country. The building has been preserved as a historical monument and serves as the Ho Chi Minh Museum today. The museum houses 11,372 documents and artifacts, along with 3,300 specialized books related to President Ho Chi Minh.

Address: 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ward 12, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City.

Constructed between 1926 and 1928, the Vietnam History Museum was designed by French architect Delaval, with construction carried out by Etablissements Lamorte Saigon. Located within a large plot of land in a spacious garden (which became Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden in 1864), the museum sits in the eastern part of Phien An city, near the Tan Xa Palace, built by Lord Nguyen Anh for Bishop Ba Da Loc to educate Prince Canh. The museum was designed in the 'Indochine style' and initially planned as a Mê Cốc Exhibition Hall, later intended to become an Economic Museum, but ultimately became the Blanchard de la Brosse Museum.

The central part of the museum features an octagonal structure (evoking the ancient Chinese concept of the Bagua) with two roofed sections covered in traditional tile, decorated with phoenix and stylized dragon motifs. At the top of the building are four smaller spheres stacked one on top of the other. This rooftop design reflects many elements of traditional Chinese architecture. In 1970, the museum was expanded with an additional wing designed by architect Nguyễn Bá Lăng. This U-shaped structure surrounds an open-air garden pond, with two wings on either side and a three-story building at the back, featuring two layers of roofs adorned with decorative dragon heads at the corners. With windows facing the garden pond, the exhibition spaces are naturally well-lit and airy.

Address: 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Constructed between 1881 and 1885, this building was designed by architects Foulhoux and Bourard. It is shaped like the letter 'H' and includes two floors with a basement. The design uniquely blends European and Roman architecture with Eastern and Western cultural influences. The most notable features are the statues of the Goddess of Justice and the Goddess of Unity, placed on either side of the staircase. The walls and ceilings are decorated with numerous reliefs and patterns. Currently, the building houses four institutions: the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Procuracy, the Court of Appeals of the Supreme People's Court, and the Prosecutor's Office for the third judicial district.

The building exemplifies a fusion of European and Roman architectural styles, along with Eastern and Western cultural elements. One of the standout features is the statue and reliefs in the entrance hall, beneath the highest roof of the building. The statue of Lady Justice holds a sword in her right hand and a book labeled 'CODE' (referring to the legal code) in her left. Two Vietnamese figures sit on either side: a woman with her hair in a bun holding a conical hat, and a man wearing a turban, both with serious expressions. The first-floor corridor features tall, arched windows, while the second floor is supported by round columns that hold up the tiled roof, symbolizing the law's strong protection against harmful societal actions. Originally built by the French for judicial use, the building has continued to serve this function across different political eras. Despite not being constructed with reinforced concrete, the building remains incredibly durable and solid.

Address: 131 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Thành Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Designed by French architect Rivera in 1929 and completed in 1934, this building was owned by Hui Bon Hoa, a wealthy and renowned businessman in Saigon at the time. In 1987, the building was transformed into the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, opening its doors to the public in 1992. Covering a total area of 3,514 square meters, the structure features a blend of Asian and European architectural styles. The glass windows and floors are adorned with intricate patterns, showcasing a strong European artistic influence. This was the first building in Saigon to feature an elevator, with a wooden elevator shaft decorated with intricate carvings. The building consists of four stories with two horizontal wings and two vertical wings, enclosing a central courtyard.

The roof is covered with red ceramic tiles arranged in a yin-yang pattern, and the eaves are decorated with glazed tiles in green. The windows are fitted with colored glass, bearing ornate European-style patterns. The floors are covered with diverse, decorative patterned tiles, while the staircase is paved with marble. The focal point of the architecture is the main entrance on the first floor, with a high entrance hall and a roofed portico, supported by large columns and accompanied by staircases on both sides. Today, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts showcases an extensive collection of precious artworks, many of which are considered national treasures, attracting numerous art enthusiasts and tourists.

Address: 97A Phó Đức Chính, Nguyễn Thái Bình Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Chí Hòa Prison was a facility constructed by the French during the colonial era in what was then the outskirts of the city. It was used to incarcerate political prisoners who opposed the French colonial regime. During the Vietnam War, it became a place where the Republic of Vietnam imprisoned prisoners from the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam. Today, it serves as a temporary detention center for the police in Ho Chi Minh City, housing suspects in criminal cases. The prison has eight blocks, each in a square octagonal shape, and includes areas like AH, BC, ED, F, I, AB, KG, and G. Chí Hòa is renowned as a 'no escape' prison due to its unique design.

After the French coup, the Japanese began building the prison in 1943, under the design of a Japanese architect. However, construction halted when the Japanese withdrew from Vietnam. The French then resumed the project, importing most of the materials from France. By 1953, Chí Hòa Prison was completed. Covering 7 hectares, the prison consists of three floors and 238 cells. It was initially intended for political prisoners who fought against the French and the South Vietnamese regime. The prison's architecture is based on the principles of the five elements and the Bagua, featuring an octagonal shape with equal sides. Chí Hòa has only one entrance, often referred to as the 'gateway to death,' making escape nearly impossible. The prison is also tied to numerous eerie and supernatural tales. Today, Chí Hòa remains in use by the Ho Chi Minh City Police for detaining criminals within the city.

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

Continental Hotel is a historic and renowned hotel located in Ho Chi Minh City. The construction of the hotel began in 1878 during the French colonial period, spearheaded by Pierre Cazeau, a building material manufacturer and supplier. Cazeau's vision was to create a luxurious hotel to accommodate French visitors arriving in Saigon after a long sea voyage from the "motherland." The construction took two years, and the hotel was officially opened in 1880. Over the years, Continental Hotel has hosted many notable figures such as Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, French writer André Malraux, and British novelist Graham Greene.

During the Vietnam War, Continental Hotel became a popular gathering spot for journalists, diplomats, and foreign businessmen working in Saigon. Designed in the classic French architectural style, the hotel features high ceilings and red-tiled roofs. The hotel is four stories high, with 83 rooms and a spacious garden area within the hotel grounds. Today, the Continental Hotel is not only a famous historic landmark but also an ideal stopping point for visitors to Ho Chi Minh City.

Address: 132 - 134 Dong Khoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Saint Joseph Seminary, Saigon is a seminary established in 1863 by Father Wilbaux and the Paris Foreign Missions Society. Originally, this large complex included the Seminary, St. Paul's Church, St. Paul's Seminary, a chapel, and a convent, and was last renovated in 1960. After 1975, most of the land of the St. Paul's convent was divided into the following:

• Primary School of Early Childhood Education
• College of Early Childhood Education
• Hoa Lu Kindergarten
• Cultural Center
• Two residential areas with about 60 households
• A part of the East was demolished to construct Nguyen Huu Canh Street

The church today is where mass is regularly held for the foreign Catholic community in the city. The display hall contains three floors with rooms that store antiques, ancient books, relics of martyrs (such as bones of saints, swords, chains...), sculptures, and religious and folk art paintings.

Since its founding, Saint Joseph Seminary has trained 1,485 priests who have served the former Diocese of Da Nang and now the dioceses within the Archdiocese of Saigon. In total, 34 bishops have come from the Seminary and the minor seminary, including 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 Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

The building that houses the Ho Chi Minh City Museum was initiated in 1885 and completed in 1890, designed by the French architect Alfred Foulhoux. Originally intended to be a commercial museum showcasing products from Cochinchina, it was repurposed immediately after construction by Henri Éloi Danel (1850 - 1898), the Deputy Governor of Indochina, who used it as his residence.

The building covers an area of more than 1,700 m² and consists of two floors in the main building along with a side annex. The architecture blends classic Renaissance style with elements of both Western and Eastern design. The façade of the second floor features Western influences, while the roof takes on a more distinctly Asian appearance. Surrounding the building is a garden courtyard shaped like a trapezoid, bordered by four roads.

Originally intended as a commercial museum for displaying local products, the building features two columns at the main entrance adorned with statues of the Goddesses of Commerce and Industry. At the peak of the front triangular roof, there is a solemn statue of a human head, while the sides are decorated with motifs of weeping willow branches, garlands of leaves, and other intricate details such as snakes coiled around and figures of a rooster symbolizing daytime and an owl symbolizing nighttime. A halo encircles the head of the statue.

Other decorative elements on the roof combine Greek mythological symbols with tropical plants and animals, such as lizards and tall-legged birds, moving in curving or spreading wing shapes.

Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Marie Curie High School is a public secondary school covering an area of 20,700 m², located in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. It is one of the oldest secondary schools in Saigon and remains the only one to retain its original name given by the French. The school is named after the renowned scientist Marie Curie.

Since 1918, the school has borne the name of Marie Curie and was initially a girls' school called Lycée Marie Curie. In 1997, it became a semi-public high school known as Marie Curie High School. The school was once the largest high school in Vietnam, with over 5,000 students each year. It operated in two shifts, morning and afternoon, with a total of 90 to 100 classes across more than 50 classrooms. To enhance the quality of education, the school is gradually reducing its class sizes. Currently, there are nearly 200 teachers and staff, and over 3,000 students spread across more than 70 classes.

Despite being a semi-public institution, Marie Curie High School is known for its high academic standards, rigorous exams, and strong discipline. Together with Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School, it is one of the top three schools in Ho Chi Minh City offering French language education. However, only about two French language classes and two bilingual (French-English) classes are available in each grade level, out of a total of 30 classes per grade.

Address: 159 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Notre-Dame Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, is a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. Designed by architect J. Bourard, the cathedral's architecture blends Romanesque and Gothic styles, featuring the main nave, bell towers, and an exterior park. The church's design is incredibly robust, capable of withstanding up to 10 times the weight of the building itself. The interior consists of a central nave, two side aisles, and two chapels. The total length of the cathedral is 93 meters, with a width of 35 meters, and the vaulted ceiling rises to 21 meters. This layout allows the cathedral to accommodate up to 1,200 people.

The altars inside are finely carved from solid marble. The 56 stained-glass windows, created from multicolored panels, form beautiful patterns. All the details, moldings, and ornaments follow the Roman and Gothic styles, exuding reverence and elegance. The bell towers are the heart of the cathedral. Originally with two towers, in 1895, six bells, each tuned to a different note (C, D, E, F, G, A), were installed. Two spires were added to cover the 21-meter-high bell chambers, designed by architect Gardes. The park in front of the cathedral houses the Peaceful Virgin Mary statue, sculpted by G. Ciocchetti in 1959. Standing 4.6 meters tall and weighing 8 tons, the statue is made of Italian white marble. The Virgin Mary holds a globe in one hand, with a cross atop, gazing upward as if praying for peace for the people and the nation of Vietnam.

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

Originally, the site of the Independence Palace was home to the Governor's Residence of Cochinchina, known as the Norodom Palace, built between 1868 and 1871 in a classic Western architectural style. After the French defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the French were forced to sign the Geneva Accords, withdrawing from Vietnam. The country was temporarily divided at the 17th parallel, with two governments: the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the north and the State of Vietnam (later the Republic of Vietnam) in the south. On September 7, 1954, the Norodom Palace was handed over from the French government to the representative of the Saigon government, Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem. The next day, Diem renamed the palace to Independence Palace, which became the residence and workplace of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.

Today, the Independence Palace is recognized as a national historical site. The palace was designed by architect Hermite, with construction starting in 1868 and completion in 1871. The palace complex covers 12 hectares, featuring a large building surrounded by lush gardens and lawns. Most of the construction materials were imported from France. The palace consists of three main floors, a rooftop terrace, two mezzanines, a basement, and an underground helicopter landing pad. Over 100 rooms are decorated in different styles according to their function. The Independence Palace is a must-visit historical site in Ho Chi Minh City.

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

The Saigon Central Post Office is a remarkable building that blends Western architectural styles with Eastern decorative elements. Built between 1886 and 1891 by the French, the initial design was overseen by architect Gustave Eiffel. After 23 years, the building underwent renovation under the design of architect Villedieu and assistant Foulhuox. The building's three-story structure, which seems to rise and sink at the same time, is highlighted by curved windows, a large clock above the main entrance, and the red and yellow flag of Vietnam fluttering in the breeze.

The windows of the side wings are arched, while the central section features rectangular windows. The architectural details, such as the horizontal trim and intricate designs, add a sense of strength and symmetry, evoking the image of a European railway station. The columns and supports on the façade are designed with squared shapes, topped with finely crafted bas-relief sculptures. Notably, the columns between the second floor and the ground floor are adorned with rectangular stone slabs, each inscribed with the name of a scientist who made significant contributions to the fields of electricity and telegraphy.

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