A visit to Vietnam’s Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City – a must for history buffs and retro fashion fiends.
I’m of a ‘certain age’ and old enough to remember what was called either “the fall of Saigon” or the “liberation of Saigon” – depending upon which side was doing the narration. Whatever it was called, it made for some pretty spectacular images at the time and I well remember the shots of desperate people trying to climb the fences at the US embassy and those of the North Vietnamese tanks crashing through the gates of the presidential palace, never imagining I’d be right there, among the extraordinarily warm, friendly and forgiving people of Vietnam, so many years later.
The gates of Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City
The gates of Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City – on a much different day.
Same tanks – different day. Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City
The Vietnam war cast a long and tortuous shadow over our country and theirs, but the history which is still so very recent has not been allowed to darken their future, although it is also not hidden away. When visiting Ho Chi Minh City (as Saigon is now called) we wanted to pay our respects to that history by visiting the confronting War Remnants Museum (once known as Exhibition House for Crimes of War and Aggression) and the striking Independence Palace.
Kitchen equipment circa 1975 – Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City
Kitchen – Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City
Constructed in the early 1960’s, on the site of the former Norodom Palace, and completed in 1966, the palace is now open to the public as a museum and attracts many thousands of both local and foreign tourists. It’s possible to wander all through the palace, inspecting not only the formal rooms, but the basement labyrinth, with it’s war command room full of what was once state of the art equipment, the presidential kitchen which still houses some of the necessary equipment and even the rooftop, complete with helipad and Huey.
Groovy 1970’s conversation pit – Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City
While the palace will always be deeply connected with the events of the fall of the city in 1975, what really stood out for me during my visit were the detailed, carefully preserved ’70’s themes and stunning decor of the beautifully maintained formal rooms.
The Credentials Presenting Room – Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City
Credentials Presenting Room detail – Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City
If you are a history buff, then a visit to the palace when in Ho Chi Minh City will almost certainly be on your list. If you are into retro fashions and styling then the palace is worth visiting for the period architecture and decor alone.
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Another dreadful war that we shouldn’t have been caught up in. Ho Chi Minh city would be an interesting place to visit, Amanda.
Such a fabulous country. When I was last there the war was referred to as The American War. Can’t blame them really. I cried buckets at the War Remnants Museum. I will never forget what I saw there.
It’s so interesting seeing the 70s rooms preserved. It’s very much like a time capsule!
I’ve never been to Vietnam but when I was nursing I nursed a few men who had come back from the war with horrifying injuries that needed ongoing attention. Those two photos outside the gates of the palace are incredible xx