Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater)
Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater)
Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater)
4
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
About
Built in 1898 following the “flamboyant” style of the French 3rd Republic, Saigon Opera House was certified a National Relic & one of the top Ho Chi Minh City attractions. The Opera House hosts cultural entertaining performances, bamboo cirque, contemporary dance, orchestra concerts and government events. Come to the front gate to check availability and ticket to a performance in this iconic building.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Cheryl M18 contributionsAmazing showDo yourself a favour and see the AO Bamboo Circus show while you’re in Ho Chi Minh. A mix of circus, dance, music and humour. A surprising gem. The performers are incredibly acrobatic and the experience was amazing. And the Opera House is a beautiful venue. Book online via the Opera House website which allows you to choose your seats. Highly recommended.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 10 January 2024
- NoahMelbourne, Australia9 contributionsFun night out and a beautiful cultural displayEarly January this year, my wife, kids, and I visited the Ho Chi Minh Opera House to watch the AO Show. Going into this experience none of us were quite sure what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised with the show! I don’t want to give any spoilers for anyone who will watch in the future, but this show is definitely suitable for all ages - my young kids enjoyed it just as much as my wife and I. The show itself travels through traditional Vietnamese culture, modern day life, and funny stories that are sure to entertain. The theatre itself is beautiful, my only struggle was the seats. When I went to sit down I fell through my seat! You might be asking how that happened…well the seats are not stable in the sense that you need to sit in a certain position as to not fall down. This seating struggle did take a couple minutes to get used to, however it really wasn’t a problem as the show went on. I could not recommend this beautiful show enough!!Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 24 January 2024
- BrakiWorldTravelerBelgrade, Serbia20,006 contributionsParis in HCMCIf you were dropped in front without seeing the surroundings, you'd bet you're in Paris. Classic and beautiful French architecture in the far east HCMC. Opera is centrally located of course, in vicinity of the main square and historic Rex hotel. Unfortunately, tickets for the bamboo show were sold out, so we didn't manage to see it.Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 27 January 2024
- RaymondaleKuala Lumpur, Malaysia1,171 contributionswatching show at the opera housethe opera house was built in 1897 by the French architect Eugène Ferret as part of the French colonisation of Vietnam. 1897, it stands as a cultural and historical landmark in the city. The Opera House hosts a variety of performances, including the renowned AO Show.i watched the show on 29 Nov, so i have a chance to admire its interior. after the show, i took many pics of it. it is a beautiful building, with the facades having three doors and the statues of two women in the style of Caryatids of Erechtheion. On top of the building, two angels honouring the Lyre guitar, which is also a highlight of the building. the location is strategic, close to busy street and other famous sightseeing spots. it is a must visit place of HCM city.Visited November 2023Travelled soloWritten 25 February 2024
- mfilcol2014Lisbon, Portugal1,841 contributionsBeautiful buildingBeautiful building. French colonial architecture. Located right in the city center, where there are several interesting restaurants and shops. I only saw the exterior, so I can't give a more detailed opinion. At night, the lighting highlights the buildingVisited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 April 2024
- Sea DwellerDubai, United Arab Emirates6,943 contributionsOne of the pearls of French colonial architecture.Located in bustling, modern District 1, Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, retaining the splendor of Saigon's colonial architecture. Despite the fact that in 1944 the theater was damaged as a result of Allied air attacks on the Japanese Imperial Army, and then was used as a temporary shelter for French civilians, and after the victory of the Revolutionary Government, for some time it was used as a meeting place for the People's Assembly, already in 1976 year it was returned to the status of a Theater. In 1998 it was completely restored and now you can see one of the pearls of French colonial architecture in full splendor.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 30 June 2024
- Elvira Wolgast8 contributionsHad a fantastic timeThe architecture is stunning, and stepping inside feels like stepping into history. I caught a live performance here, and the acoustics were impressive. The atmosphere was lively yet intimate, making the whole experience unforgettable. Whether you're into opera or just want to soak up some culture, it's definitely worth a visit while you're in Saigon!Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 9 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
4,141 reviews
Excellent
1,836
Very good
1,570
Average
652
Poor
66
Terrible
17
Shashvisits
400 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Another beautiful building here in the centre of Saigon. We decided to book tickets to see the Bamboo Circus as well. Tours were being offered when we booked our tickets to view the theatre before the show. Unfortunately we didnt get there in time but I would suggest if possible try and fit this in if you can. Any excuse to look around such an iconic building is I'm sure going to be worth it. The booking agents at the theatre are all very pleasant and the pre drinks sitting on the upstairs terrace is a lovely start to the evening
A few more chairs on the terrace might be a good idea.
A few more chairs on the terrace might be a good idea.
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DAROHATH
Cairns, Australia1,292 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Visited the Opera House to see the AO show last week. The facade of the building is beautiful by day and well lit at night. We got a short tour prior to the show (about 10 minutes) outlining its history. Even if you’re not attending a show it’s well worth a look whilst exploring the city.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cynthia P
San Jose, CA2,221 contributions
Feb 2020
Vietnamese acrobats perform using bamboo and other materials. While interesting at times and some of the bamboo maneuvers were amazing, we found the production somewhat amateurish. The Opera house itself is nice although further work is still needed. We were with a group and had the Wow tickets. The seating was good but the included beverage (wine, beer, tea) were low quality. They did not have enough staff on to serve everyone before it was time for the show. Please note the elevator does not go to all floors at this time although that is expected to change in the future.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zfy Ed
Singapore, Singapore10,584 contributions
Dec 2022
Located in the city center, this is a very nice European architectural building despite of it's small size as compared to it's counterparts in other cities. They have performances that display the rich local culture and history but during our visit there, it coincided with the Christmas festivity and the seats were all sold out.
So we took photos outside and to me, it looks better and nicer at night with the lightings than daytime. There are always many people there, chitchatting or someone waiting for someone. And so it itself is an icon of the city center!
So we took photos outside and to me, it looks better and nicer at night with the lightings than daytime. There are always many people there, chitchatting or someone waiting for someone. And so it itself is an icon of the city center!
Written 26 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob M
Elizabethtown, PA191 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Went to the most incredible exotic acrobatic she at the opera house in downtown Saigon. Very tribal dressed athletic actors did a number of incredible stunts using bamboo poles climbing to the top and swinging around very artistic movements to the sound of tribal drumbeats and traditional stringed instruments. Truely exotic experience, WOW!
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanne B
Sydney, Australia55 contributions
Mar 2020
A fantastic night out at the Saigon Opera House.We saw BAMBOO Circus. A great show full of music, dance and acrobatics combined with a great deal of humour. A terrific story and show.
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abovetheclouds
2,321 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
Iconic Saigon. If you can, I would highly recommend and if possible to watch a performance to really appreciate the beauty of the Opera House. At time of writing January, 2023 I went to watch the A O SHOW which was very good. I felt like I had stepped back in time to another era walking inside. I loved the elegance and atmosphere that the Opera House evoked. Well kept and clean. Nice off white and cream decor. Minimal yet stunning. Look up at the ceiling. Seats were like dining room chairs. Not too comfortable but fine. I sat at the end so had enough leg room. Small Opera House but intimate. There are a few levels. I sat on the ground floor. Seats are slightly raised so you can see if there is a big head in front of you! The building is nice outside. Very European in style. However for me, it is inside where it really comes to life and you can truly appreciate the beauty. A world away from the noisy streets outside. If you don't see a show, I am unsure on opening hours or if you can go inside. Check this. Otherwise, just appreciate the outside architecture and take photographs. Mind how you go as the road outside is busy especially at rush hour!
Written 11 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China22,252 contributions
Dec 2022
The grandeur and opulence of colonial Saigon is way too evident in this ornate performing space. Even for non-fans of opera or theatre, this venue has an impressive and photogenic facade. More interested visitors may consider attending a show here.
Written 1 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan B
5 contributions
July 2022 • Friends
This was easily the highlight of our trip. The show was reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil and quite magical. The traditional instruments along with the singing and very intense choreography was fantastic. I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Saigon.
Written 15 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Noah
Melbourne, Australia9 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Early January this year, my wife, kids, and I visited the Ho Chi Minh Opera House to watch the AO Show. Going into this experience none of us were quite sure what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised with the show! I don’t want to give any spoilers for anyone who will watch in the future, but this show is definitely suitable for all ages - my young kids enjoyed it just as much as my wife and I. The show itself travels through traditional Vietnamese culture, modern day life, and funny stories that are sure to entertain. The theatre itself is beautiful, my only struggle was the seats. When I went to sit down I fell through my seat! You might be asking how that happened…well the seats are not stable in the sense that you need to sit in a certain position as to not fall down. This seating struggle did take a couple minutes to get used to, however it really wasn’t a problem as the show went on. I could not recommend this beautiful show enough!!
Written 25 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How is it possible to visit it without a show ticket? Is it there an entrance fee for a visit by day?
Written 25 August 2019
Yes, you can visit without a ticket.
Written 14 September 2019
Hi, is there any elevator in the opera house to get to 2nd floor? My mom has limited mobility and can not walk up stairs.
Thanks
Written 6 June 2019
If there is I did not see it. The theatre only hold 460 people. The upper section is a maximum of 4 rows. Honestly I’d stay down in the orchestra section.
There are several steps to climb up to the entryway but I do not recall any ramps.
Written 14 June 2019
Hi I’ll be traveling with my baby who’s going to be 8 months old. Are we still allowed to watch with the baby? Thanks
Written 23 May 2018
I would think not as they warn about photography and noise during the show
Written 28 May 2018
Was ist der Unterschied zwischen der AO Show und der Teh Dar Show ??
Im Februar werden keine Termine angezeigt auf der Homepage angezeigt.
Wo haben Sie Ihre Tickets gebucht online oder vor Ort?
Danke für eine Info
Written 13 December 2017
Wir haben nur die Teh Dar Show gesehen, daher kein Vergleich möglich. Die Teh Dar Show orientiert sich an typischen Alltagssituationen der einheimischen Stämme auf dem Land. Die Umsetzung ist spektakulär! Mehr möchte ich nicht verraten...
Wir haben die Tickets am Abend zuvor über Handy online gebucht. Wir haben dann aber erfahren, dass die meisten Hotels einen Rabatt geben können; es lohnt sich also vor Ort im Hotel nachzufragen.
Written 14 December 2017
How should I dress for this tour?
Written 10 May 2017
We wore what we would go out to dinner in ,not dressed up as such, but not too casual.
Written 23 May 2017
Can you book tickets online? The ticket office portion of the web page seems not to do anything if I click on a date. I'm using a mobile so not sure if this is the problem or if you just have to call.
Written 9 April 2017
Dear Nottheo 1,
I am representing for Lune Production company, that has A O Show, Teh Dar, The Mist Show performing at the Saigon Opera House. If you are looking for tickets to go to our shows, you can go to our website, please search Lune Production, or the name of the show (A O Show - Lune Production) (The Mist - Lune Production) (Teh Dar - Lune Production) to find our website and buy tickets online. Please note that the booking online is closed for the show happens within that day, or 24 hours. In this case, please feel free to come to the Opera House, check the availability with our staff. Thank you so much. We hope to welcome you to any of our shows.
Written 10 April 2017
Hi!
Where else I could buy the tickets except from their website?
If on website it shows tickets sold out, will it be available to buy in on the spot (somewhere) ?
Many thanks!
Ines
Written 28 October 2015
We bought our tickets from our hotel concierge.
Written 28 October 2015
Hi there, we are a family of 5 wanting to see the AO show. The nights that we would be able to go are the 22nd,23,24th June and the 5th July but these dates are not available for booking online. Are there shows on these nights that are booked out, or are there other shows on instead? The AO show has been highly recommended to us and we were very excited about going. Is there any other way of booking other than online? Is there a waiting list for cancellations? Kind regards Sue
Written 7 June 2015
Hi I thought the show was worth it. Very unique to the country. We just went to one of the many travel agents that can be found in small shops on almost all streets, when you get there. They will book travel tours and shows and they have networking in Vietnam like I have never seen anywhere else. If they don't have it they will know someone who can get you tickets. They just call the ticketing agents and work it out for you. If it's possible to get tickets while you're there they will get them. All over Vietnam you will find this networking, it's very convenient when you're looking for something as you basically have access to all the shops, if one doesn't have the color you want they will have a cousin or brother down the street who will have it, or can make it for you.
Also the hotel concierge is worth a try, although I think you will pay more for the tickets if the hotel arranges it. Good luck and enjoy your travel. Vietnam is fantastic.
Written 12 June 2015
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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