1. Where is the city post office?
The city Post Office is located a short distance from Acnos hotel: 1.4km about 20 minutes walk.
Address : No. 2, Paris Cong Xa Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Business hours:
– From Monday to Friday: 7am – 5pm
– Saturday: 7am – 6pm
– Sunday: 8am – 6pm
Entrance fee to visit : Free
The city post office is located on Cong Xa Paris street, in the heart of District 1, so it is very convenient for tourists to visit. You can travel by taxi, motorbike or public transport. Buses 03, 06, 19 or 45 all stop on Paris Commune Street, a short walk from the City Post Office.
In addition, in District 1 there are many interesting attractions such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace, City Theater, Zoo… So according to Acnos, you can plan to visit them all. All these destinations in one itinerary to fully explore Saigon city .
See more: Hotels near City Post Office
2. History of construction and development of the City Post Office
The history of the City Post Office began around the end of the 19th century. At that time, Vietnam was part of the French colony in Indochina. In 1863, after France successfully conquered Saigon, the government apparatus wanted to build a very modern communication system. Therefore, the Saigon Telegraph Department was born, this was the forerunner of the later Saigon Central Post Office.
The architect responsible for designing this project is Gustave Eiffel. He is the designer of many world-famous buildings such as the Eiffel Tower (Paris) and the Statue of Liberty (New York). In Vietnam, in addition to the City Post Office, Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi is also designed by Gustave Eiffel.
On January 13, 1863, the Saigon Telegraph Department was officially inaugurated and put into operation. However, because people’s postal needs were increasing, the telegraph department at that time was often overloaded. So in 1886, this work was rebuilt, still based on part of the original work of architect Gustave Eiffel.
The people in charge of building the City Post Office at this time were Villedieu and his partner Foulhoux. It took 5 years to build, the new project was officially completed and put into operation. The European, luxurious and classic architecture has made the City Post Office a symbol of the land named after Uncle Ho. To date, the building is still periodically maintained to preserve its architecture and postal functions.
3. Explore the architectural beauty of the City Post Office
3.1 External architecture of the City Post Office
The City Post Office is designed very magnificently and on a large scale. This place became an important part of history and culture in Ho Chi Minh City. The post office attracts tourists because of its great historical and aesthetic value. Up to now, the post office is more than 150 years old, but its magnificent beauty has not faded over time. The impressive combination of elegant French architecture and Asian artistic elements has created a distinct beauty.
The facade of the City Post Office is very magnificent with yellow walls, arched door and window designs and decorative reliefs in bold French style. The facade of the building retains its cubic structure, the highlight is a large clock. Up to now, the clock has been operating continuously for more than 150 years, still persistent and diligent, witnessing many changes in the nation’s history.
Above the clock face are the names and faces of historical figures and famous people. Among them are some prominent names such as US President Benjamin Franklin, Italian inventor Alessandro Volta, British physicist Michael Faraday, French mathematician André-Marie Ampère, Gay Lussac, Oerstedt, Ohm, Arago, Galvani, Foucault and Laplace.
3.2 Architecture inside the City Post Office
When entering the City Post Office, you will feel like you have returned to the past. This place resembles a railway station in Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries rather than a post office in an Asian country. Therefore, many foreign tourists are surprised when visiting the post office. They felt familiar and strange because they never knew that in Vietnam there were buildings with such sharp Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles.
The first thing you see in the City Post Office will be two maps hanging on both sides of the gate. On the left is a map of South Vietnam and Cambodia titled Lignes telegraphiques du Sud Vietnam et Cambodge 1892, roughly translated as “Telegraph lines of South Vietnam and Cambodia 1892”. The second map on the right is called Saigon et ses environs 1892 – Saigon and its surrounding areas 1892.
The post office ceiling is designed in an arc shape, supported by two rows of steel columns. Looking in from the door, you will see a giant portrait of President Ho Chi Minh. The mail receiving area here is still operating normally, receiving mail and parcel delivery requests according to regulations of the Vietnam Postal system.
In addition, at the City Post Office there is also a counter area selling souvenirs such as stamps, books, and decorative items of Vietnamese character. The post office also supports foreign customers in exchanging money. The staff here are very enthusiastic and fluent in English, so they will fully support tourists.
In addition, at the City Post Office there is also a counter area selling souvenirs such as stamps, books, and decorative items of Vietnamese character. The post office also supports foreign customers in exchanging money. The staff here are very enthusiastic and fluent in English, so they will fully support tourists.
Above is some information about the City Post Office. In your journey to discover the beauty and history of Saigon, this will be a destination you cannot miss. Acnos travel guide wishes you many memorable experiences.