Independence Palace: A Symbol of Reunification
Step into history at Independence Palace, the site that signifies the triumphant conclusion of the resistance war against America, the liberation of South Vietnam, and the reunification of the nation.
From Norodom Palace to Independence
Originally known as Norodom Palace, and before that, the Palace of the Indochina Governor General, this landmark was first constructed in 1868 and officially opened its doors in 1871.
A Transformation
Following 1954, Ngo Dinh Diem, then President of South Vietnam, resided and conducted affairs within Norodom Palace with his family. He made the decision to rename it Independence Palace, reflecting a new era.
In 1962, disaster struck when the palace suffered significant damage from bombing. President Diem ordered the demolition of the remaining structure and initiated a complete rebuild, engaging Western-trained architect Ngo Viet Thu for the design. Saigon engineers oversaw the construction, culminating in its completion in 1966. The new Independence Palace stood as a testament to resilience.
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