Travels in Asia, a Photoblog by Michael Deveney

The Independence Palace was constructed in 1966 as the home of the President of South Vietnam. It remained so until 21 April 1975 when Thieu fled before the NVA advance. Finally, on 30 April 1975, tank 843 crashed through a side gate, before tank 390 bulldozed the front gate, ending the American War. Later, Independence Palace was renamed Reunification Convention Hall - now it is popularly known as Reunification Palace. The distinctive front latticework can be seen from the main road as you pass by – it is meant to conjure up the elegance of bamboo.

Visitors can now see tableaux in every hall and room, exactly how things were in 1975. Banqueting rooms, diplomat halls, communications bunkers, staff residences – all displaying the opulence of the day – while also conveying the last days of a government.

One of the mental images of the time was that of James Fenton entering the grounds on the back of a tank. The political reporter, erstwhile poet, was asked by the NVA for directions to the palace, so hopped aboard to help navigate and share in a moment of history. So the story goes! Read about it in, 'The Fall of Saigon'.

Above and Below: The command centre and bunker communications area, circa 1975.

Above: Diplomatic Reception Room. Below: Staff Residences.

Independence Palace, HCMC