Saigon Opera House

The Saigon Opera House, officially the Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, is a French colonial-era opera house located at Lam Son Square in Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Built between 1898 and 1900 and designed by architect Eugène Ferret, it features a French Renaissance facade inspired by the Petit Palais in Paris. With about 1,800 seats, it is a prominent cultural venue and historic landmark in central Ho Chi Minh City.

Visitors can expect a grand French colonial building at Lam Son Square with an ornate facade, columns, and sculptures. The exterior is accessible for sightseeing and photography day and night. Inside, a richly decorated auditorium with about 1,800 seats hosts opera, ballet, classical concerts and Vietnamese cultural shows such as the A O Show. Access to the interior is typically through ticketed performances or occasional guided tours. The surrounding area is a busy central square near Dong Khoi Street with cafes and hotels.

Constructed between 1898 and 1900 during the French colonial period under architect Eugène Ferret and inaugurated in 1900. The building exemplifies French Renaissance architecture and served various functions over time including as a theatre and assembly hall before being restored as the city's main opera house in the 1990s.

The city's principal venue for opera, ballet, symphony concerts and Vietnamese contemporary performances. It is a symbol of French colonial heritage and a central cultural landmark for Ho Chi Minh City, hosting national and international artistic productions.