Presidential Palace

You are now in front of Hanoi’s elegant Presidential Palace. This impressive French colonial building, constructed between 1900 and 1906, serves today as the official residence of the President of Vietnam and the headquarters of his office. Originally, it was the residence and workplace of the Governor-General of French Indochina. Designed by architect Auguste-Henri Vildieu, the palace blends neoclassical and Italian Renaissance-inspired styles, typical of colonial architecture. Its mustard-yellow façade and classical columns give it a commanding presence.The palace is set within 14 hectares of perfectly pruned gardens. Amid the formal European-style gardens, the only touch of local flavor in the European-style grounds comes from the mango trees. Until 1954, the building symbolized colonial authority, but after independence, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam’s first president, chose not to live in the grand palace, preferring a modest stilt house built in the gardens, reflecting his rejection of colonial luxury. Today, the stilt house is open to the public, along with the carp pond that surrounds it.The Presidential Palace remains a hub for state functions and receptions for foreign dignitaries. While the interior is not open to visitors, you can walk through the gardens and admire the palace’s striking exterior.