Saigon Central Post Office: History, Architecture and Visiting Tips (2026 Guide)
By Jimmy Nguyen, Founder & Director of Asia Travel Expert Co., Ltd.Why visit the Saigon Central Post Office? Because it is the most beautiful working post office in Vietnam and one of the finest French colonial buildings in Asia. Built between 1886 and 1891 at 2 Cong xa Paris (Paris Commune Square, former District 1, now Sai Gon ward), it still sells stamps and sends letters under a vaulted iron-and-glass hall decorated with hand-painted maps from 1892. Entry is free, it opens every day from early morning (about 7:00) until early evening, and 30–45 minutes is enough for most visitors. In this guide the Saigon Muslim Tours team explains the building’s story, what to look for inside, how to send a postcard home, and where to find halal food and Saigon Central Mosque nearby.
- Why visit: the architecture, the 1892 maps and the experience of posting a card from a 19th-century hall that still works as a post office.
- Cost: free; you only pay for stamps, postcards or souvenirs.
- Next door: Notre-Dame Cathedral across the square and Book Street Nguyen Van Binh beside the post office.
- For Muslim travellers: Saigon Central Mosque and the halal restaurants of Dong Du Street are about 15 minutes away on foot.
Saigon Central Post Office at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 Cong xa Paris Street (Paris Commune Square), Sai Gon ward (former Ben Nghe ward, District 1), Ho Chi Minh City |
| Opening hours | Daily from about 7:00 until early evening (17:00–19:00 depending on the day; Sunday may start at 8:00) |
| Closed days | Open every day; hours can be shorter during Tet |
| Entrance fee | Free |
| Typical costs | Postcards are inexpensive; international stamps are priced by destination at the counter |
| Time needed | 30–45 minutes; 1 hour if you write and post cards |
| Dress code | No dress code; it is a public building in daily use |
| Photography | Allowed; please do not block customers at the service counters |
| Children | Suitable for all ages; flat, open hall that is easy with a pushchair |
History of the Saigon Central Post Office
Saigon had a post office from the early years of French rule, but by the 1880s the colony’s growing telegraph and mail traffic needed a much larger building. The present post office was built between 1886 and 1891; the dates are carved above the main entrance. It was designed by the French architect Alfred Foulhoux. Many guidebooks credit Gustave Eiffel, the engineer of the Eiffel Tower, but that is a popular myth.
The post office has never stopped working. It served as the hub of mail and telegraph services for the south under French rule, through the war years and after reunification, and today it is run by Ho Chi Minh City Post. The building was renovated in 2014, and in October 2025 the post office said it supported a proposal to list the building as a protected heritage site and planned to replace its ageing roof tiles. Some scaffolding may be in place during repairs, but the hall stays open to visitors.
For three decades the post office was also known for Duong Van Ngo, the city’s last public letter writer. From 1990 to 2021 he sat at a small desk in the hall, translating and writing letters in French and English for visitors and locals. He passed away in August 2023, aged 93, and is still fondly remembered by Saigon’s people.
Architecture: What to Look For
The building combines the symmetry of French public architecture with Gothic and Renaissance touches, and a structure of iron and glass that was modern for its day.
1. The yellow façade and the clock
The long façade, painted the warm yellow typical of colonial Saigon, is framed by arched windows and green shutters. Above the main entrance sits a large clock, with the construction years below it. Along the front, look for the names of pioneers of electricity and telegraphy inscribed on the walls, a reminder of the building’s original purpose.
2. The vaulted main hall
Inside, a barrel-vaulted ceiling supported by painted iron columns and arches covers a long, bright hall. Natural light and the high roof keep it airy even on hot days. Service counters line both sides, and old wooden telephone booths still stand along the walls.
3. The 1892 maps
Two large hand-painted maps decorate the walls of the hall: Saigon et ses environs 1892, showing Saigon and its surroundings, and Lignes télégraphiques du Sud Vietnam et Cambodge 1892, showing the telegraph lines of southern Vietnam and Cambodia. They are among the most photographed details in the city.
4. The portrait of Ho Chi Minh
At the far end of the hall hangs a large portrait of President Ho Chi Minh. It is the classic backdrop for photos looking down the length of the hall.
5. Stamps, postcards and souvenirs
Counters and kiosks in the hall sell postcards, stamps, collectors’ stamp sets, small handicrafts and books. Prices are fixed and clearly marked, which makes this an easy place to buy small gifts without bargaining.
How to Send a Postcard from the Saigon Central Post Office
- Buy your postcards at the kiosks inside the hall.
- Write them at the long wooden tables in the middle of the hall, where locals and visitors sit side by side.
- Buy stamps at a service counter. Tell the clerk which country each card is going to; international rates depend on the destination.
- Post them by handing them to the counter clerk or using the post box in the hall.
International cards usually take from one to several weeks to arrive, so send them early in your trip.
Opening Hours and Entrance Fee
The post office opens every day from about 7:00, with closing times that vary slightly by day (roughly 17:00–19:00) and shorter hours during the Tet holiday. Postal service counters may keep slightly different hours from the souvenir kiosks. There is no ticket and no entrance fee. If you want a quiet visit, come before 9:00; by late morning on weekends the hall can be crowded with tour groups and wedding photographers.
How to Get There
- On foot: about 10 minutes from Nguyen Hue Walking Street and the Opera House, and 10 minutes from Independence Palace.
- By Grab or taxi: ask for “Buu dien Thanh pho” or “Buu dien Trung tam Sai Gon”; drop-off is on Paris Commune Square in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
- By metro: Opera House station on Metro Line 1 is the nearest stop, about a 10–15 minute walk.
Open Saigon Central Post Office in Google Maps
What to See Nearby
1. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
Directly across the square, the red-brick cathedral was completed in 1880. It has been under a long restoration programme, so visits usually focus on its exterior and the square; check whether the interior is open during your visit.
2. Book Street Nguyen Van Binh
The short, shady street beside the post office is lined with bookshops and cafés. It is a pleasant place for a cold drink and English-language books about Vietnam.
3. Independence Palace
A 10-minute walk away, the palace where the Vietnam War ended in 1975. Read our Independence Palace guide.
4. War Remnants Museum
About 15 minutes on foot, the museum tells the human story of the war. Read our War Remnants Museum guide.
Best Time to Visit and Insider Tips
- Early morning is best for photos of the empty hall and for soft light on the façade.
- Weekday visits are calmer. Weekends bring more local visitors and couples taking wedding photos.
- Use the far counters. Counters at the back of the hall often have shorter queues than those by the entrance.
- Bring small notes. Postcards and stamps are cheap, and kiosks prefer cash in small denominations.
- Combine with a walking route: Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Book Street, then Independence Palace or Saigon Central Mosque.
Tips for Muslim Travellers
Saigon Central Mosque nearby
Saigon Central Mosque, 66 Dong Du Street, Sai Gon ward (former District 1), is about 1 km from the post office, around 15 minutes on foot along Dong Khoi Street. Built in 1935, it is the main mosque of the city centre and welcomes Muslim visitors for prayers. Our guide to mosques in Ho Chi Minh City lists other mosques.
Halal food nearby
- Halal@Saigon, 31 Dong Du Street (Sai Gon ward): opposite Saigon Central Mosque, convenient for lunch.
- The Daun Restaurant, 48 Le Lai Street (Ben Thanh ward): halal Vietnamese dishes, about 10 minutes by car.
- Kampung Pandan, 53 Thu Khoa Huan Street (Ben Thanh ward): Malaysian halal dishes.
- Nguyen An Ninh Street by Ben Thanh Market (Ben Thanh ward): budget Muslim-run eateries, 10 minutes by car.
For details, ratings and opening hours, see our guide to halal restaurants in Saigon. If you want to shop for souvenirs afterwards, our Saigon Muslim shopping guide covers Ben Thanh Market and nearby streets.
Visit the Saigon Central Post Office on a Saigon Muslim Tour
The Central Post Office is a regular stop on our private city tours, with a friendly English-speaking guide, private air-conditioned transport and certified-halal meals at halal restaurants:
- Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Tour 1 Day: Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Saigon Central Mosque and Ben Thanh Market.
- Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Tour 1 Day: the tunnels in the morning and the city’s landmarks in the afternoon.
- Ho Chi Minh Muslim Tour 3 Days and Ho Chi Minh Muslim Tour 4 Days: Saigon, the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels.
- Ho Chi Minh – Mui Ne – Dalat Muslim Tour 5 Days: the city combined with the coast and the highlands.
Explore all Ho Chi Minh Muslim day trips and popular Muslim tours in the south of Vietnam, read our Ho Chi Minh City travel guide, or contact Saigon Muslim Tours for a free private itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Saigon Central Post Office
1. Where is the Saigon Central Post Office?
It is at 2 Cong xa Paris Street, on Paris Commune Square, Sai Gon ward (former District 1), opposite Notre-Dame Cathedral.
2. Is there an entrance fee at the Saigon Central Post Office?
No. Entry is free. You only pay for stamps, postcards or souvenirs you buy.
3. What are the Saigon Central Post Office opening hours?
It opens every day from about 7:00 until early evening, with closing times between roughly 17:00 and 19:00 depending on the day. Hours can be shorter during Tet.
4. Did Gustave Eiffel design the Saigon Central Post Office?
No. This is a popular myth. The building was designed by the French architect Alfred Foulhoux and built between 1886 and 1891.
5. Is the Saigon Central Post Office still a working post office?
Yes. It still provides postal services, so you can buy stamps and send letters and postcards anywhere in the world.
6. How long should I spend at the Saigon Central Post Office?
About 30–45 minutes is enough to see the hall and the maps, or an hour if you write and post postcards.
7. Can I send a postcard home from the Saigon Central Post Office?
Yes. Buy a card at a kiosk, write it at the tables in the hall, buy stamps at a counter and post it inside. International cards usually take one to several weeks.
8. What are the old maps inside the post office?
Two hand-painted maps from 1892: one of Saigon and its surroundings, and one of the telegraph lines of southern Vietnam and Cambodia.
9. Who was the letter writer at the Saigon Central Post Office?
Duong Van Ngo wrote and translated letters for visitors at the post office from 1990 to 2021. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 93.
10. Is the Saigon Central Post Office close to Notre-Dame Cathedral?
Yes. The cathedral stands directly across Paris Commune Square, less than a minute’s walk away.
11. Is there halal food near the Saigon Central Post Office?
Yes. Halal@Saigon at 31 Dong Du Street is about 10 minutes’ walk away, and The Daun (48 Le Lai) and Kampung Pandan (53 Thu Khoa Huan) are a short ride towards Ben Thanh Market.
12. How far is Saigon Central Mosque from the Post Office?
About 1 km, or 15 minutes on foot. The mosque is at 66 Dong Du Street, Sai Gon ward.
13. What is the best time to visit the Saigon Central Post Office?
Early morning on a weekday, before 9:00, when the hall is quiet and the light on the façade is soft.
14. Is the Saigon Central Post Office included in Saigon Muslim Tours?
Yes. It is part of our Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Tour 1 Day and of several multi-day Saigon tours, together with Notre-Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Mosque.
