Independence Palace: Tickets, Hours and Visit Guide
A general ticket to Independence Palace covers the exhibit and the palace and costs VND 80,000 for adults. A palace-only ticket is VND 40,000. Visiting hours are 07:00 to 18:00, every day including holidays. Prices are valid from 1 May 2026.
On this page
Independence Palace (Dinh Doc Lap) sells two tickets. General admission covers the exhibit and the palace and is VND 80,000 for adults. A palace-only adult ticket is VND 40,000. Both prices are valid from 1 May 2026.
Independence Palace ticket prices and opening hours
The palace is open daily, including weekends and holidays. Visiting hours are 07:00 to 18:00.
| Ticket | General (exhibit and palace) | Palace only |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | VND 80,000 | VND 40,000 |
| Seniors 60+ and Vietnamese university students | VND 40,000 | Students VND 20,000 |
| Children 6 to under 16 | VND 20,000 | VND 10,000 |
The electric car tour is VND 25,000 per person per ride.
The two ticket gates
The gate at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street sells tickets from 07:00 to 18:00. The gate at 106 Nguyen Du Street sells from 08:00 to 16:00.
Tickets can be booked online on the palace’s ticket site (opens in a new tab).
What to see at Independence Palace
The main building has a T-shaped layout with a floor area of 4,500 m2 and a height of 26 meters. It has a total usable area of 20,000 m2 and nearly 100 rooms.
Palace rooms and basement
Decorative stone screens surround the second floor and regulate natural light. The basement is a fortified bunker system built to withstand heavy bombing.
The grounds
The site covers 12 hectares. An oval lawn 102 meters across lies in front of the palace. An octagonal pavilion 4 meters across stands on an elevated mound as a resting space.
The exhibit
A two-story building in French architectural style stands at the Nguyen Du corner, built in the same period as the former Norodom Palace. The exhibit there is called “From Norodom Palace to Independence Palace 1868-1966”. The general ticket includes it.
A short history
The palace is also known as Reunification Hall.
- On 23 February 1868 the Governor of Cochinchina laid the first stone of Norodom Palace.
- On 8 September 1954 the palace was renamed Independence Palace.
- A bombing on 27 February 1962 severely damaged it.
- Construction of the current building began on 1 July 1962, and it was inaugurated on 31 October 1966.
- At 10:45 on 30 April 1975 tank number 843 of Brigade 203 rammed through the side gate.
- The palace was classified as a National Historic Site in 1976 and a Special National Monument in 2009.
The architect was Ngo Viet Thu.
Who it suits (and who should skip it)
- Visitors who want English: the audio guide comes in ten languages including English.
- Groups: tour guide service is offered for groups.
- Architecture fans: the building has stone screens, a basement bunker and nearly 100 rooms.
- Early risers: the palace opens at 07:00.
- Anyone in shorts or a sleeveless top: change first, as the palace asks for polite attire with no shorts or sleeveless shirts.
How to get to Independence Palace
One entrance is at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward. The other is at 106 Nguyen Du Street, Ben Thanh Ward. Paid parking for motorbikes and cars is at the gate on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street.
The palace’s bus page is undated, so check the current stop in a map app.
Ben Thanh, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
When to go and how long
Visiting hours are 07:00 to 18:00. Ticket offices sell until 18:00 at the Nam Ky Khoi Nghia gate and until 16:00 at the Nguyen Du gate.
Nearby and how to combine it
The War Remnants Museum is at 28 Vo Van Tan Street, Xuan Hoa Ward. It is open 07:30 to 17:30 every day, and its ticket counter closes at 17:00.
For a half-day, start at the palace from 07:00, then go to the museum before its counter closes at 17:00. The tours hub lists more sights.
Phuong 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh 700000, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Before you go
- Wear polite and respectful attire, with no shorts or sleeveless shirts.
- Leave bulky luggage, explosives, weapons and pets outside.
- Bring VND 80,000 for a general adult ticket, or VND 40,000 for palace only.
- Take souvenir photos only in designated areas.
- Register and pay for professional filming or service photography such as weddings.
- Photography services have their own price list, effective 1 August 2026. It is separate from the ticket prices, which are valid from 1 May 2026.
- Park at the Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street gate.
Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Independence Palace on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Kim Khoi Tran, Dat Huynh, Google Maps contributor, CM Yeung, Caroline Hubbard.
Step by step
- Choose a ticketGeneral admission (exhibit and palace) is VND 80,000 for adults; palace-only is VND 40,000.
- Go to a ticket officeThe office at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street sells 07:00 to 18:00 and the one at 106 Nguyen Du Street sells 08:00 to 16:00.
- Dress for the visitWear polite and respectful attire, with no shorts or sleeveless shirts.
Not confirmed: Ticket prices: the official page lists no price for children under 6, and gives student rates only for Vietnamese university students. Ask at the ticket office what foreign students and young children pay, and which gate the exhibit uses.
Common questions
How much is the Independence Palace ticket?
General admission, which includes the exhibit and the palace, is VND 80,000 for adults. Palace-only is VND 40,000.
What are the opening hours?
Visiting hours are 07:00 to 18:00. The palace is open daily, including weekends and holidays.
Which gate sells tickets?
The gate at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street sells tickets 07:00 to 18:00. The gate at 106 Nguyen Du Street sells 08:00 to 16:00.
What is the dress code?
The palace asks for polite and respectful attire, with no shorts or sleeveless shirts.
Is there an audio guide in English?
The palace offers an audio guide in ten languages including English. Rent the equipment at the information desk.
Can I take photos?
Souvenir photos are permitted in designated areas. Professional filming and service photography such as wedding photos need registration and a fee.
Is Independence Palace the same as Reunification Hall?
Yes. The palace's own page lists Reunification Hall as another name for the monument.
Is there parking?
Paid parking for motorbikes and cars is at the gate on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street.
Can I book tickets online?
The palace's home page says tickets can be booked online.
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