Independence Palace

This is Independence Palace, now known as Reunification Palace. It served as the home of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and now is a tourist attraction. It was constructed in 1966, but on the same site was Norodom Palace from 1873 to 1962. The old palace was mainly destroyed by two pilots who rebelled against President Diệm and bombed the palace trying to kill him.

A bust of Ho Chi Minh in the main auditorium.

The Banquet Chamber. Not so sure about that carpet colour!

The Cabinet Room.

I love all the old phones – brings back memories!

This was the South Vietnam President’s Office, mainly occupied by Nguyễn Văn Thiệu.

One of the more decorative rooms.

Every palace needs an escape helicopter on the roof!

A nice view of the lawn area from the roof.

There are two layers of underground rooms, where much of the war was fought from.

Not one of the more spectacular palaces around, but a fascinating piece of history when you consider its role in Vietnam and the Vietnam War.