Between the Vietnam war history and everything in the years before, there is just so much to learn about. One of the most iconic buildings in Ho Chi Minh is the Independence Palace. The images of tanks driving through the front gates during the war and helicopters landing on the roof are classic Vietnam war imagery. I knew that we had to see it before we left the city.
It far surpassed any expectations I could have had. I have always been obsessed with Mid century modern style and the feel of the seventies as well. The palace looked as if it had been frozen in time somewhere between the 50's and the 70's. Perfectly preserved and absolutely beautiful, the building is a mix of enclosed rooms and open air hallways. The palace is so grand and spacious and the artwork housed in the rooms is insane.
We spent almost the entire morning wandering the hallways and taking in the details. Everything down to the cars still stored downstairs and the impressive bomb shelter beneath the building. I have put captions on most of the photos so you know what you are looking at. But the video below doesn't even do it justice.
Palace Entrance
Main Dining Room
Conference Room
Open Air Hallway
Formal Sitting Lounge
Main Floor Hallway
Another Sitting Lounge
Indoor Atrium Garden
Private Apartments
Private Apartments
Smaller Meeting Space
Second Floor Landing
View From Balcony
Balcony Photo
President's Private Office
President's Private Office
President's Closet
President's Bedroom
President's Bedroom
Rec room
Rec Room
Rec Room
Rooftop Helipad
First Lady's Dining Room
Theatre
Library
Library
Bomb Shelter
Shooting Range
After touring the palace we spent some time in the park on the grounds. The kids met a few new friends and we had such a nice time relaxing in the shade. It was a very hot day.... 36C.
The next stop was the most important.... food! There is a very popular restaurant on the other side of the park from the palace called Propaganda. We saw it while touring on our first day and I put it on our must see list right away. How appropriate is that name!?
The food was so incredible and tit was well set up for families. We got there a bit early (around 11:30am) and it was a good thing! That place was packed by 12pm and it was mostly tourists and expats. It had such a cool vibe and it really was the perfect way to end the morning.
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