Independence Palace, seen from a military helicopter

The construction of the Independence Palace began in early July 1962, after the old palace from the French colonial period was damaged. The palace was built according to the design of architect Ngo Viet Thu, the first Vietnamese to win the Grand Prix de Rome.

- Ảnh 1. — Military helicopter of the Air Defense - Air Force flying the national flag over the Independence Palace

- Ảnh 2. — Independence Palace stands out with green parks

At noon on April 30, 1975, tank number 843 of the Vietnam People's Army under the command of Lieutenant Bui Quang Than, crashed into the side gate of the Independence Palace; then tank number 390 commanded by Lieutenant Vu Dang Toan crashed through the main gate and entered the palace.

At 11:30 a.m. the same day, Lieutenant Bui Quang Than raised the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam to the roof of the Independence Palace, signaling the day of total victory.

- Ảnh 3. — The grandstand for the 50th anniversary celebration of the country's reunification, on Le Duan Street, in front of the Independence Palace

The Independence Palace is a famous historical and cultural relic visited by many domestic and foreign tourists. The Palace was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Relic in Decision No. 77A/VHQD (June 25, 1976) of the Minister of Culture (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism). The Government ranked the Independence Palace Historical Relic as one of the first 10 special national relics of Vietnam on August 12, 2009.

- Ảnh 4. — Large buildings in front of the Independence Palace area

Not only having historical significance, the Independence Palace also shows typical Vietnamese architecture in the 1960s. In addition, the Independence Palace is often the venue for major events held in the city, receptions of the Party, the State in Ho Chi Minh City as well as the city government.

- Ảnh 6. — Center of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City with the highlight of Independence Palace

The Independence Palace was designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu and built on an area of 4,500 m², with a usable area of 20,000 m², including 3 main floors, 2 mezzanines, a ground floor, 2 basements and 1 rooftop for helicopters to land.

The Independence Palace is 26 meters high and is located in a 12-hectare tree-lined campus. Outside the front and back fences of the palace are two green parks.