Hotel Continental, Saigon/HoChiMinh City

Nestled on the corner of Dong Khoi Street and Lam Son Square in District 1, Hotel Continental is more than just a hotel 鈥� it鈥檚 a living piece of the city鈥檚 story. Built in 1878鈥�80 by Pierre Cazeau for French travelers seeking elegant comfort, it鈥檚 widely regarded as the oldest hotel in Vietnam.

Its airy, three-storey structure retains many colonial features: high ceilings over 4 meters, thick brick walls, shaded corridors, and large shuttered windows to capture breezes. The hotel鈥檚 inner courtyard, with frangipani trees planted in 1880, offers a quiet refuge in the midst of Saigon鈥檚 vibrant pulse.

Over time, Continental has seen owners change, names shift (for example 鈥淩adio Catinat鈥� during wartime), and its ground-floor bar become a gathering spot for journalists, writers, and diplomats 鈥� including Graham Greene, who stayed in Room 214 while writing The Quiet American.

Recognized in 2012 as a Monument of Architecture Arts by city authorities, the hotel continuously balances its heritage with modern comforts. Staff today work to preserve its old-world elegance while offering clean, comfortable rooms and attentive service.

Did you know? The hotel鈥檚 white exterior isn鈥檛 just for looks 鈥� painting it light helps reduce heat absorption under Saigon鈥檚 tropical sun.

Tip: Even if you鈥檙e not staying there, stop by Continental Saigon to enjoy a drink in the courtyard or relax in its lobby. It鈥檚 a calm moment amid the city鈥檚 rhythm 鈥� and a reminder that history is best savored slowly.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Saigon/HoChiMinh City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Hotel Continental
Sight Location: Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam (See walking tours in Saigon/HoChiMinh City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Saigon/HoChiMinh City Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam

Create Your Own Walk in Saigon/HoChiMinh City

Creating your own self-guided walk in Saigon/HoChiMinh City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City,... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles

Saigon/HoChiMinh City Introduction Walking Tour

While many people still fondly say 鈥淪aigon,鈥� the city officially became Ho Chi Minh City or HCMC in 1976, to honor the revolutionary leader who led North Vietnam. But call it what you will 鈥� Saigon still lives in the names, food stalls, and in locals鈥� hearts, especially in District 1, the area most of us think of when we say 鈥淪aigon.鈥�

Long before colonial buildings and skyscrapers,... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles

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