Reunification Hall is in the middle of Ho Chi Minh City and is surrounded by a spacious park area. The building has played an important role in Vietnam history since it was completed in the 19th century. Reunification Hall was once the residence of the French governor general during colonial times. Next, it was the Presidential Palace when it was occupied by Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh Diem.
The Vietnam Air Force destroyed the palace in 1962 in an assassination attempt on President Diem. The attempt failed, and the palace was rebuilt; however, President Diem was killed before he could move back in.
Van Thieu was the next President of Vietnam, and he lived in the palace until he was evacuated from the roof in 1975 during the invasion of the city by the North Vietnamese. The gates of the palace were knocked down by a North Vietnamese tank, and the photo of this event became a symbol of the reunification of Vietnam.
Reunification Hall is open for tours on most days.
