The Central Post Office – best choice for Saigon Sightseeing tour

Located 125 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, right in the heart of Saigon, the Central Post Office is one of the oldest buildings in Saigon.

The Post Office Building, coupled with the Notre Dame Cathedral and Municipal Opera and Ho Chi Minh City Hall, are classic examples of French colonial architecture in Vietnam and are the most popular areas to see besides the attractions related to the Vietnam War when in Saigon and the post office stands out as one of the top draws as it was designed by the man who made the Eiffel Tower in Paris a landmark, Gustav Eiffel! It was built between 1886 and 1891, and there are old colonial maps inside that are named: ‘Saigon et ses environs 1892′ which means ‘Sai Gon and its environment 1892′ and ‘Lignes telegraphiques du Sud Vietnam et Cambodge 1936′ which translate to ‘Telegraphic lines of Southern Vietnam and Cambodia 1892.

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

Being a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and French influences, this building fascinates tourists by its typical colonial French features, from exterior to interior decorations. By the first time, visitors may feel that they’re brought back to the 20th century railway station in Europe, rather than a post office in an Asian country. From its ornate furnishings, gorgeous-pattern-tiled floor to its massively high ceilings and numerous wickets, all speak of another place in time. The interior design is even more elegant with the phone booths, which are just the same since the colonial period.

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

Walking inside, the first things you notice are the two maps: Saigoneses environs, 1892 describing Saigon in the past and Lignes télégraphiques du Sud Vietnamet du Cambodge which is the postal route from Vietnam to Cambodia. The building inside is big and airy with a lot of space. The ceiling was designed with arc shape which was carried by the two rows of steel pillars. This makes the building look grander and more stable. Also, the building looks just perfectly in harmony with the outside, considering its arched windows creatively designed with engaged piers, green window shutters or the main entrance with intricate ironwork.

What is more than a fully functioning post office? The staff mostly speak English and you will find them helpful in sending anything home. There are also gift shops which are not overpriced. Many small enough to put in an envelope and send home.

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

The Post Office offers all kinds of traditional postal services like mailing, selling postcards or stamps ( there is a big array of stamps to choose, which ranges in price from cheapest ones). Foreign money exchange is also available.

Don’t ignore Mr. Duong Van Ngo – an old man sitting at the end of a long wooden table underneath a mural of Saigon, behind the sign “Information and Writing Assistance”. Mr. Ngo has been working here since he was 17, as a polyglot public letter writer. Being the last letter writer in old Saigon, he’s a source of stories of how could he connect people across the planet with his fountain pen.

This will be the pictures of the Telephone and Telegraph Booths, of which the right side is now converted into a functioning Automated Teller Booths (ATMs) that accepts international ATM Cards and groups like CIRRUS, MAESTRO, PLUS, DISCOVER.

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

Saigon Central Post Office is always included in any city tour, as it’s quite easy to get there on foot, bike or motorbike from other attractions like Reunification Palace or War Remnants Museum are suggested. For your information, Saigon Central Post Office works from 7:00 to 19:00 on weekdays, from 7:00 to 18:00 on Saturday, from 8:00 to 18:00 on Sunday.

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

If you would like to discover Central Post Office please go with us:  Saigon sightseeing & local street food tour is trying to making lantern by yourself and you will have unforgettable memories. Don’t miss it!

Photo by Scooter Saigon Tour

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