Playing Tourist - Reunification Palace, Gaya Lifestyle Shop
When my sister came with her kids, we went to the one tourist spot that
I had always wanted to go but somehow never made it - the
Reunification Palace.
I think it is any architects' dream to do a palace, but it must be quite exhausting to have to think of how to decorate so many rooms and he (paris-trained Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu) hit upon the idea of colour theming each. So there is the gold room, the red room, the green room..etc
I especially like the facade with its' modern decorative "sun shading devices". I also like the circular sofas in the "cinema" room and all the fascinating retro stuff including the circular dial telephones.
There is another building that has a similar fascinating facade - Gaya, a lifestyle shop.
I think it is any architects' dream to do a palace, but it must be quite exhausting to have to think of how to decorate so many rooms and he (paris-trained Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu) hit upon the idea of colour theming each. So there is the gold room, the red room, the green room..etc
I especially like the facade with its' modern decorative "sun shading devices". I also like the circular sofas in the "cinema" room and all the fascinating retro stuff including the circular dial telephones.
The shop carries the works of 5 designers - furniture, lacquerware, linen, fashion etc. It's interesting to browse and I would probably buy something if it was within my range.
I really like 60s architecture. It is modern yet there are all these decorative elements that are angular or geometric. This reminds me that I really like my geometry in maths class when I was young.
I am also "retro" when I dress. circular prints, candy colours (though towards green, brownish, orange colours). So maybe I'm kind of struck and nostalgic but why this period?
Anyway, both of these are in my must see list for my visitors..speaking of which I should be updating the list as there has been so many changes in shops and restaurants location.
Reunification Palace or Independence Palace
35
Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street,
Q1 T: 39693272.
Daily
0730-1100, 1300-1600
Gaya
1 Nguyen Van Trang St, Q1, at junction of Le Lai, www.gayavietnam.com
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Comments
Nice photos. I've been in Saigon for eight years and haven't been to the reunification palace yet. Someday, maybe when somebody comes to visit- that's a good idea. I read that the second most popular hcmc destination is the Cu Chi tunnels, but I'm afraid to go there 'cause I've seen photos and those tunnels look scary.
Sometimes it is good to play tourist to discover another side of Vietnam. You also have to experience the Cu Chi Tunnels to understand the determination and mental strength of the Vietnamese people.