Today Ross and I went to tour Independence Palace just down the street from where we live. This particular version of the palace was built in the mid 60's and was home to the South Vietnamese President as well as his guests after it's completion. The visit was fitting considering the city had just celebrated the anniversary of its reunification a few days ago and this is the exact spot where the takeover/liberation of South Vietnam was completed. I took a lot of pictures so I'll try to explain as many as I can.
(Above) Front view of the palace. Nice place but I'm sure that lawn requires a lot of upkeep.
This and the following three pictures are of the first two tanks that stormed the palace on April 30, 1975
One of the dining rooms
Meeting room opposite the dining room
One of the large media/press rooms with a statue of Ho Chi Minh at the podium. He's much larger in statue not surprisingly.
A beautiful tree out in the back yard of the palace.
President's office with the special red phone for important calls.
Stuffed real animals in the office because he's president and they're awesome!
Another meeting room. Note the long spears by the head table. It is believed they were used to keep order during meetings and/or in case anyone spoke out of turn.
A chair with horns on the back? Yes please! Where else can I buy these?
View from the second floor
Big carpet that we were not allowed to step on.
We get it there were lots of meetings held in this place...
Cool skulls hung out by the courtyard.
The library
Smaller dining room upstairs.
The theatre.
The room we appropriately dubbed "That 70's Room"
A replica of the President's helicopter
Top floor of the palace had a cool bar and indoor/outdoor dance pad for entertaining tons of guests.
We went down to the basement to see all of the rooms.
The President's combat ready bedroom
We went back upstairs and checked out the kitchen
The flag that went up over the palace marking the end of the war.
The flag that came down.
Hope you enjoyed the photos.
Cheers,
Noah
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