Saigon Opera House is one of the popular attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. It possesses the elegant and aesthetic characteristics of French Colonial architecture. This theater has been used for various purposes, primarily organizing theatrical performances and major events. Coming here, you can not only admire the architectural features of a bygone era but also enjoy numerous excellent performances.
Where is the Saigon Opera House?
Saigon Opera House is situated at No. 7, Cong Truong Lam Son Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Having a prime location in the heart of the city, Saigon Opera House is close to many symbolic attractions, including the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, etc.
Saigon Opera House ticket price and opening hours
There are no fixed opening hours and ticket price at Saigon Opera House, as this theater is only accessible to the general public during events and performances. Ticket prices vary greatly from 200,000 to 2,000,000 VND, depending on the event, time, and seat class. For detailed information, it is recommended that you visit the website of Lune Production.
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History of Saigon Opera House
The Saigon Opera House, or Municipal Theatre, has a rich and fascinating history. It was built in 1898 by the French architect Eugène Ferret as part of the French colonization of Vietnam. The Opera House served as a venue for European cultural events, including classical music concerts, ballet performances, and theatrical productions.
During the Vietnam War, the Opera House was briefly transformed into the National Assembly of South Vietnam. After the war, it was restored and resumed its role as a hub for artistic performances.
Architecture of Saigon Opera House
Covering an area of 3,200 square meters, Saigon Opera House was constructed in 1898 by French architect Eugene Ferret in a “flamboyant” style of the Third Republic of France. The facade of Saigon Opera House is extremely appealing, with three huge doors and stone-carved statues of two women following the style of Greek Caryatids of Erechtheion. In order to reduce road noise, the theater was designed to be two meters higher than the ground and have two layers of doors. The granite used to construct the theater and the furniture were all imported from France.
Top 3 shows in Saigon Opera House
Coming to Saigon Opera House, tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy numerous kinds of performances, from classical concerts, opera galas to Vietnamese traditional and modern dances. The three most popular shows are A O, The Mist, and Teh Dar.
A O Show
A O Show offers audiences the opportunity to enjoy a perfect combination of theatrical visual art, contemporary dance, traditional Vietnamese music, acrobatic acts, and bamboo circus performances. The name of the show is inspired by the sound “A” referring to a village and “O” referring to a city. As its name suggests, the show presents the contrasts between the rural and urban life of Vietnamese people.
The Mist Show
The Mist Show gives audiences a greater insight into the daily life of hard-working Vietnamese farmers. The show honors the farmers’ efforts and struggles in growing rice on humble muddy soil. The actors and actresses will perform neoclassical and modern dances to show the day and life of the farmers from dawn till dusk.
Teh Dar Show
Teh Dar Show is a popular Vietnamese bamboo circus show that tells untold stories about the life of Vietnamese highlanders. The costumes of the actors and actresses feature two typical colors – red and black. The actors wear loincloths, while the actresses wear short skirts with embroidered patterns of nature.
- Besides the Thien Hau pagoda, you can take your time to visit other attractions of Ho Chi Minh, such as Thien Hau Pagoda, War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, etc.
Saigon Opera House Map
How to get to Saigon Opera House?
Situated in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh Opera House can be easily reached from any part of the city. There are numerous means of transportation that tourists can choose from to move to this attraction, among which the three most popular are bus, taxi, and motorbike. If you want to take the bus, you can catch buses number 03, 19, 45, which all pass by Saigon Opera House. If you use personal vehicles, you can park them in the parking area of the theater.
For tourists who want to visit the Saigon Opera House with private services, you can book a private tour from Vietnam Shore Excursions. Professional and knowledgeable tour guides will share profoundly many interesting stories about this place and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the local life of local people during the tour. Here are some Ho Chi Minh Tours which customers can find out and book for you and your group.
- Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursions
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- Ho Chi Minh Half Day Tour
- Ho Chi Minh Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
- Ho Chi Minh City Jeep Tour
Saigon Opera House, one of the most iconic symbols of Ho Chi Minh City, is a must-visit Ho Chi Minh tourist attraction for those who are fond of French architecture and want to enjoy special performances. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam’s beautiful Ho Chi Minh City, make sure to include this location in your itinerary!
