Central Post Office, Saigon/HoChiMinh City (must see)

Right in the heart of District 1, stands the Saigon Central Post Office – a living postcard from colonial times. Originally designed by the famous Gustave Eiffel and erected in 1860, the building was rebuilt between 1886 and 1891 according to Alfred Foulhoux’s design to meet the increasing demand. It blends Gothic, Renaissance, and French colonial styles into one striking façade.

Outside, its bright yellow walls, green shutters, and intricate ironwork capture your attention immediately. A large classic clock hovers above the main entrance, flanked by these tall arched windows and names of inventors like Volta, Faraday, and Ohm etched into the walls – little tributes to the era of telegraphy and early communication.

Step inside and you’re transported back in time: under a high vaulted ceiling, sun streams through domed windows onto marble-tiled floors. Vintage wooden telephone booths, old-fashioned benches, and two giant historic maps – one of Saigon and surroundings from 1892, the other showing telegraphic lines to Cambodia from 1936 – line the central hall. At the far end, a portrait of Ho Chi Minh watches over the bustle of postal counters and souvenir stalls.

Did you know? The Central Post Office offered a letter-writing service that assisted both locals who could not write and foreigners who needed translation help. Duong Van Ngo, known as Vietnam's last public letter writer, worked here for over 70 years until 2023.

Even though many services are modernized, the post office still functions fully – postcards, stamps, parcels, even express delivery. And yes, you can (and should) send a postcard from here: it’s one of the most charming souvenirs you’ll get in Saigon.

Tip: Visit in the morning when the light enhances the interior’s warmth and the crowds are thinner. Bring enough small cash for postcards and stamps – you’ll want both before you leave.