The Private Areas Of Independence, Reunification Palace

Moving on to other areas of Reunification Palace, the swish design aesthetic continues.

Tired of world negotiating? Retreat to your private movie theater. Red, rich.

President's quarters and dressing area.

The library.

Basement kitchen and pool table, complete with calming background painting.

Game room. Ready for a good ol' hullabaloo.

The Official Areas Of Independence, Reunification Palace

Cool on the outside, swanky on the inside. Reunification Palace is a beautifully preserved time capsule of Imperial era architecture, a sparkling example that must have inspired countless evil dictator and James Bond movies.

Heading in.

Banquet Hall. Powerful.

President's and Vice President's offices.

Communist conference hall. Red.

National Security chamber and reception area of the President's office. Curtains.

The Lifesaver row of important telephones in the Security chamber room.

Vice President reception room. Second floor landing with giant circular rug.

Handy helipad. Just in case.

Independence, Reunification Palace In Saigon

Both significant in history and architecture, the Reunification Palace in the center of Saigon offers a great lesson in design and human conflict. Enjoy the style of the building, digest the bloody conflict that ended at its front gate.

The first marvel is the swanky, 1960s International Style of the building. Early in the Vietnam War, an old French palace that stood on the land was bombed and the decision was made to replace rather than rebuild. Noted local architect Ngô Viết Thụ was hired to design the palace, completed in 1966.

Grand view when approaching the Palace.

The exterior is lined with bone-like stone louvers, looking a little like Gaudi got hold of the plans and did a little embellishing. The louvers serve a purpose, shielding a bit of the hot, tropical sun.

Second floor hallway, pure Mies van der Rohe minimalism.

Out back, a little nod to Italian Fascist architecture. Everything is a grand gesture. Double height windows and curtains revealing a twisting staircase.

One more view of the lovely louvers.