Central Post Office which is in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, is a remnant of French colonial times. It is located just opposite the Notre Dame Cathedral. The building was designed by a French architect named, Alfred Foulhoux. This building was also known as “The Hotel Des Postes”. It was built between 1886 and 1891. The design has an essence of French architecture with Khmer art influence in its roof ridge.
The Central Post Office has become the tourist attraction beside serving as a main post office. An authentic floor tiles design and the looping arches are the main attractive features of this building. A big portrait photo of Mr. Ho Chi Minh is hanged at the main wall and can be seen as you step in the building. The loop arches and traditional design of telephone boxes that are placed on the left and right at the entrance of the main hall, nostalgically reminds the visitor to the early era of telecommunication. As you enter the main entrance, you can see the mailing service counters are busy servicing the customers daily. Those who wants to buy souvenirs will have choices to choose from the souvenir shops at the center hall or either from the right or left wing of this building.
This sketch of the Central Post Office keeps the memory of me and my Indonesian friends celebrating the “Kartini’s Day”. We were all wearing kebaya in front of the Central Post Office and the hired photographer took our photo with the background of the Central Post Office. The Central Post Office has become one of an iconic building in Ho Chi Minh, therefore many people will keep their memoir in a photograph with the background of this iconic building.
What I love most about this building is its architectural design. This building has special element of façade that didn’t directly reflect the colonialism; hence it gives the Asian feeling when you look at it. The high ceiling with arches gives you the ambiance of a grand hall that combining the Europe and Asian cultures at one place. The reading street is located just beside this Central Post Office, where you will find book shops along the street. No vehicles are allowed to pass through this street. This street is dedicated to readers and visitors to walk and enjoy the ambiance of book garden along this street.
