Presidential Palace of Vietnam, Official residence in Hanoi, Vietnam
The Presidential Palace of Vietnam is an official residence in Hanoi with a yellow facade, classical columns, and a grand staircase spanning three floors. The Italian Renaissance architecture shows symmetrical proportions and decorated balconies that recall European administrative buildings from the colonial era.
The building was constructed between 1900 and 1906 as the residence for the Governor-General of Indochina. After independence in 1954, it became the headquarters of the Vietnamese government and continues to serve official purposes today.
Ho Chi Minh refused to live in the palace after 1954, choosing instead a traditional Vietnamese stilt house in the gardens. His decision reflects a rejection of colonial symbols and a preference for simpler living connected to local traditions.
The interior rooms remain closed to the public because the building continues to serve government functions. The gardens with pebbled pathways are accessible during daytime through guided tours and offer a view of the exterior grounds.
The grounds served in 2019 as the venue for a diplomatic meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The garden became a neutral zone for international talks about nuclear disarmament on that occasion.
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