Ho Chi Minh City Things to Do Tips by lavender23

The Independent Palace was built first in 1865 on the ground of Norodom palace as a residence for the French Governnor General.
In 1963 it was damaged by an air bombardment then was rebuilt by Ngo Dinh Diem,it was completed in 1966 and was renamed the Independent Palace.
It is 5-story building consists of 100 rooms and chambers,there is a card-palying romm on the third floor,the fourth floor was used for dancing and also had a casino there.
The more interesting floor that's basement which contains a network of tunnels, telecommunication center and a war room
It's located on Le Duan St u can also enter by the gate at 106 Nguyen Du st
Visitting hours:
7:30 - 11 am
1 - 4 pm
Ticket : 15,000VND (1USD)

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It was built from 1898 – 1900 ,and was used as a headquaters of the South Vietnam Nation Assembly.Since liberation ( Apr 30,1975) it has been serving its original purpose as a Municipal Theater,its programe features tranditional Vietnam theater, chamber music, symphonies , big concerts of orchestras from other countries usually from Europe . On Sun u can often see an “outdoor concern” played by malitaty orchestra in front of the Theater. The front of the Theater is also a place where interesting activities of the youth of the city are held ,like the campaign of SEA GAMES 22th first held in Vietnam .
It ‘s located on Dong Khoi St , on its right is Caravelle Hotel place where Bill Clinton stayed when he visited Vietnam , on the left is Continental Hotel, both of them are the most luxurious Hotels in HCMC.
The Theater open from 8pm – 10pm

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Locates at the intersection of Le Loi ,Ham Nghi , Tran Hung Dao and Le Lai Avenues . It’s the biggest market in HCMC and also a place attracts many foreign tourists , almost everything is sold in this market u can find anything u want but it’s also known as the most expensive market , things are always charged much higher than other places .If u visit the market if u really wanna buy some T-shirts or sth please haggle to have a bargain .
U can find the “business” not only have in the market but also on the streets around it there are many shops dealing in food , shoes ,sandals , and even second-hand clothes.
One more thing u should beware of is that street venders outside the market,i recommend u be careful with them and shouldnt buy anything from them.
Hope u have a nice trip!! :)

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This is the musuem that attracts much interest of tourists,it's the most well-known one in HCMC.

Here u can find many pics of Vietnam War agaisnt America,there are also pics of massacre that American troops did in Vietnam.they were all horifying scenes.

a bit further u can find a prison which was imitated exactly like the one in Con Dao where was used to keep those who were considered as Viet Cong ,and many other creepy pics that will interest u

At the entrance u will receive a brochure introducing briefly 'bout the musuem and u have to pay 10,000VND ($ 0.75) for the brochure as a entrance fee.

Here u can take pics as many as u want without permission

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Address: 28 Vo Van Tan Dist 3 ,HCMC

It’s a building over 100 years old located at 65 Ly Tu Trong ,it used to be the Palace of the Governnor of Colonialism and then the Office of the Imperial Delegate of the King .
There are numerous pics and exhibits displayed which are related to the struggle against French colonialism and American Aggressors as well as images related to the general uprising in 1968 known as Mau Than spring general uprising and the historical HCM campaign in 1975 .
U can also find some inform ‘bout the history of HCMC as well as a skeleton and things which have the era of over 1500.
It's quite deserted so u much room and time to ramble round.
Taking photo is forbitten here if u wanna take u must have permission of the manager.
Ticket costs 10000VND
But I didnt pay when i visited it ,dont know why hehehe!!

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Address: 65 Ly Tu Trong Q1

It was built from 10/1877 – 4/1880 with the approval of the Vatican and costed 2.5 million French Francs . Notre Dame is a a biulding with neo- Romanesque architecture and 2 40m-high square towers tipped with iron spires. Located on Han Thuyen St facing down Dong Khoi St
In the front is the statue of Virgin Mary , maybe because the statue has been exposed for a long time and hasn’t got a good care so it looks a bit fading . On its right is the Municipal Post Office and also the biggest one in HCMC
The Church opens for visiters
from 8am – 10:30 am
and 3pm – 4 pm
For those u wanna attend the Sunday Mass there is one Mass in English held at 9:30am on Sun

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Address: Dong Khoi, District 1
Directions: City center