Ho Chi Minh Square, Ho Chi Minh City Overview

A lovely open space marked by benches, well-trimmed hedges, and a noteworthy statue at the centre, the historic Ho Chi Minh Square is an important area of public assembly in the city. Being in a busy district full of shopping malls, temples, and noteworthy sites from Vietnam’s history, this square offers a small space of silence and tranquillity. Located right in the middle of District 1, Ho Chi Minh square is a scenic attraction ideal for unwinding after a long day. A statue of the namesake president sits at the centre, surrounded by greenery and a couple of pretty benches. In the evenings, the place comes alive with soft lights and musicians.

Evoking an architectural aesthetic from the 20th century, Ho Chi Minh Square marks an important congregation point from the country’s history. On one side, you’ll find the iconic Ho Chi Minh City Hall, a building currently used for government affairs that takes up an entire block on the north side of the square. On its other side, you’ll get to see Rex Hotel, built in 1927. A landmark from the French colonial era, it is remembered today for housing journalists during the Vietnam War. In fact, some of the war’s most important press conferences took place in that very hotel. Sitting on a bench in Ho Chi Minh Square, you’ll get to witness two slices of history before your very eyes.

President Ho Chi Minh Statue

Since 2015, Ho Chi Minh Square has been home to President Ho Chi Minh Statue crafted by Vietnamese sculptor, Lam Quang Noi. It faces away from Ho Chi Minh City Hall and replaces an older statue called “Uncle Ho and Children” representing the seated leader with a young girl beside him. Uncle Ho and Children Statue was placed in 1990 and now stands in District 3. It had been sculpted by Vietnamese sculptor Diep Minh Chau.

The new President Ho Chi Minh Statue was inaugurated in May 2015 to commemorate the revolutionary leader’s 125th birthday. Affectionately known as “Uncle Ho”, Ho Chi Minh became the symbol of the country’s unification struggle for decades. This statue stands 7.2 m (23 feet) with a concrete base. As the statue of one of Vietnam’s most iconic leaders, it’s no wonder that it has become a popular photo-op for both locals and tourists visiting the square.

How to Reach Ho Chi Minh Sqaure

Ho Chi Minh Square is located in District 1, a hub of tourist activities in Ho Chi Minh City. It is at the intersection of Le Tranh Ton Street, Pasteur Street, Dong Khoi Street, and Ly Ty Trong Street. The square can be found at the end of Nguyen Hue Street, a pedestrian pathway that’s considered one of the prettiest attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, down to Saigon River.

If you are at any of the District 1 attractions like Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, or Saigon Post Office, you can easily get a local taxi or an Uber for a short 5-10 minute ride or a Ben Thanh bus at a minimal cost of around VND 5,000. From Rex Hotel or City Hall, the square is less than a few minutes’ walk. Ho Chi Minh Square is located around 7 kilometres or 30 minutes away from Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Tips

1. As a public place, Ho Chi Minh Square is open all hours of the day with no fee to enter and explore. However, the best time to visit is between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Once the sun sets, it becomes a lively spot to hang out. · Sundays are the best days to visit as the roads are closed for the day, leaving the streets empty for pedestrians to walk freely
2. The square becomes a great spot for families enjoying picnics or youngsters spending the day with their friends. The fountain here even has a little water show as entertainment – make sure you don’t get caught in the centre of it!
3. As of 2019, parts of Ho Chi Minh Square are under construction. It is part of a larger plan to include the square in the middle of an open mall in District 1
4. Ho Chi Minh Square is often confused for two other tourist attractions with similar names – Union Square (a close-by shopping mall) and Saigon Square (a local market known for bargain shopping and knock-off items). Be specific when taking a taxi or bus to visit.