Ho Chi Minh City District 1 is where Saigon’s French colonial past meets its modern pulse. Furthermore, as you walk a few tree-lined blocks, you’ll pass mustard-yellow mansions, arched windows, shuttered terraces, and one of the most beautifully preserved colonial houses in Saigon that still serves espresso and eggs today: Au Parc Café & Brunch. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the heart of HCMC District 1, starting with Au Parc and then extending to two nearby architectural icons worth your morning.
Why HCMC District 1 Is the Best Place to Experience Colonial Saigon
First of all, District 1 sits at the historical, cultural, and culinary center of Ho Chi Minh City. In fact, within a 15-minute walking radius, you can stand in front of 19th-century French colonial landmarks, duck into a heritage café, and watch the city buzz past on scooters. Moreover, the neighborhood between Reunification Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral holds an especially rich collection of preserved colonial houses. As a result, it stands out as the single best pocket of Saigon for architecture lovers, slow travelers, and anyone chasing a proper brunch.
Au Parc: The Colonial House Café at the Heart of Saigon
A Two-Decade Legacy in a Preserved Colonial Building
For nearly twenty years, Au Parc has sat at the cultural crossroads of Ho Chi Minh City, between Reunification Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Meanwhile, it has served Saigon’s most reliable brunch from inside a genuine piece of colonial heritage. Notably, the charming colonial building still features its original cement tiles, bare brick walls, and old window frames, and it sits halfway between the two landmarks.
However, this isn’t a themed restaurant or a replica — it’s the real thing. In addition, the beautifully preserved heritage building boasts high ceilings, wooden shutters, and arched windows that frame leafy views of the park outside. Consequently, you get the rare experience of eating inside a living colonial house rather than merely looking at one from the street.
What to Order from Au Parc’s All-Day Brunch Menu
Above all, Au Parc’s All-Day Brunch defines the signature experience — a Mediterranean–Middle Eastern spread that runs morning to afternoon, built around fresh ingredients and bold, sunny flavors. Here are five dishes worth ordering:
- Soft-Boiled Eggs (195K) — hummus, kale, red cabbage, crunchy seed sprinkle, sourdough. Indeed, this bright, textural plate has become a regular-order favorite.
- Shakshuka (185K) — spicy tomatoes, peppers, cumin, harissa, sourdough. Undoubtedly the kitchen’s most iconic dish, and it arrives sizzling.
- Eggs Royale (225K) — smoked salmon, poached eggs, hollandaise, home-made bun. Clearly the indulgent pick for a slow Sunday.
- Pulled Pork (220K) — bacon, roasted pepper salad, grilled aubergine, sourdough. Meanwhile, this hearty, savory option satisfies bigger appetites.
- Avocado (210K) — avocado, feta, sourdough, spicy plant-based mayo. Finally, a vegetarian classic done with real Mediterranean flair.
Additionally, you can pair any of them with Au Parc’s house-blend coffee, which the café makes from locally sourced Arabica and Robusta beans.
When to Go
Although Au Parc opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the weekend brunch (which runs 11am–4pm Saturday and Sunday) delivers the signature experience. Therefore, we highly recommend booking ahead. Alternatively, grab a table on the terrace along one of Saigon’s most elegant tree-lined streets, or settle into the air-conditioned interior where you can best appreciate the colonial detailing.
📍 Location: Between Reunification Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral, District 1 🌐 Website: auparcsaigon.com 📸 Instagram: @au_parc_saigon
Two More Colonial Architecture Gems Near Au Parc
After brunch, you’re a short walk from two of the most photographed colonial buildings in Vietnam.
1. Ho Chi Minh City Museum (Gia Long Palace)
Just a 7-minute walk from Au Parc, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum ranks as one of Saigon’s most underrated colonial landmarks. Originally, construction began in 1885 and wrapped in 1890, and the renowned French architect Alfred Foulhoux designed it. At first, the building housed a Commercial Museum that showcased the products of Southern Vietnam. Later, it became the residence of the Governor of Cochinchina.
In terms of style, the grand neoclassical building showcases Baroque detailing, a sweeping staircase, and a lovely flower garden. Beneath it lies a network of tunnels and a bunker that President Ngo Dinh Diem used during the 1963 coup. Inside, nine galleries chart the city’s transformation from fishing village to megacity.
- Address: 65 Lý Tự Trọng Street, District 1
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, daily
- Highlights: Baroque facade, sweeping staircase, underground bunker, vintage French-era cars in the garden
2. Saigon Central Post Office
Similarly, a 5-minute walk from Au Parc (and directly opposite Notre-Dame Cathedral) brings you to the Saigon Central Post Office — the city’s most iconic French colonial building, and it still operates as a fully functional post office. Built in the late 1800s, Marie-Alfred Foulhoux designed it (though many credit Gustave Eiffel). Today, the yellow facade, green shutters, and vaulted interior remain unmistakable. So send a postcard from the original wooden counters — after all, it’s the rare tourist activity that’s also genuinely useful.
- Address: 2 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1
- Best time to visit: Early morning, before tour groups arrive
Suggested Half-Day Walking Route in District 1
Here’s a simple, walkable itinerary that ties the three landmarks together:
- First, at 9:30 AM — Start at the Saigon Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Then, at 10:30 AM — Walk 5 minutes to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum (Gia Long Palace)
- Next, at 12:30 PM — Enjoy All-Day Brunch at Au Parc, overlooking April 30th Park
- Finally, at 2:30 PM — Optional extension: Reunification Palace, 3 minutes away
Overall, the entire loop clocks in under 2 kilometers and keeps you immersed in colonial-era Saigon the whole time.
FAQ: HCMC District 1 & Colonial Architecture
What is the best area in Ho Chi Minh City to see colonial architecture?
Without a doubt, District 1 wins — specifically the stretch between Reunification Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral. This is where the Post Office, Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Opera House, and preserved colonial houses like Au Parc cluster together.
Is Au Parc good for brunch in HCMC District 1?
Yes — Au Parc’s All-Day Brunch ranks as one of Saigon’s most beloved institutions, and it happens inside a preserved colonial building. Because weekend brunch gets especially busy, reserve ahead.
What’s the most popular dish on Au Parc’s brunch menu?
Generally, the Shakshuka and Eggs Royale top the list. Meanwhile, the Soft-Boiled Eggs with hummus and kale has become a lighter go-to for regulars.
How old is the Ho Chi Minh City Museum building?
Originally completed in 1890, the building (formerly Gia Long Palace) dates back over 130 years. Moreover, French architect Alfred Foulhoux designed it.
Can you walk between these three colonial sites?
Absolutely. Au Parc, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, and the Saigon Central Post Office all sit within a 10-minute walk of each other.
Is the Saigon Central Post Office still a working post office?
Yes — in fact, you can send postcards and letters from inside the historic hall, exactly as locals have done for over a century.
Final Thoughts
If you have one morning in HCMC District 1, spend it on this triangle: first, colonial architecture at the Post Office; then, history at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum; and finally, a long, unhurried All-Day Brunch inside the colonial house at Au Parc. Ultimately, it’s the most complete — and most delicious — way to experience old Saigon in a single walk.
