Hotel
The Reverie Saigon
An opulent five-star hotel in the Times Square Building between Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi, home to the Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Long Trieu.
Caravelle Saigon
A five-star hotel on Lam Son Square that opened on Christmas Eve 1959 and housed the American TV networks in the 1960s, next to the Opera House.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic luxury hotel
- Area
- District 1 (Saigon), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Hotel class
- 5-star
- Official site
- caravellehotel.com
Good to know
- Rooftop bar
- Pool and fitness
- Kara Spa
- Signature Lounge
Why we recommend it
The Caravelle Saigon is one of the great historic hotels of Ho Chi Minh City. It opened on Christmas Eve 1959 on Lam Son Square, next to the Opera House, and when it was built the original building was considered one of the tallest and most modern of its kind in Vietnam. In the 1960s it became the headquarters of the American networks CBS, NBC and ABC, and its rooftop bar was a gathering place for the journalists covering the war. The site was also once home to the New Zealand embassy.
Today the hotel describes itself as a five-star luxury hotel and marks more than six decades of history. The rooftop Saigon Saigon Bar has reopened and is one of the city's classic rooftop venues, with live music most nights. Guests can also use the hotel's pool and fitness facilities and Kara Spa, and the hotel promotes Signature Lounge privileges and loyalty programmes for regular guests.
The location is ideal for sightseeing. The Opera House is next door, and the hotel says Notre-Dame Cathedral, Dong Khoi Street, Nguyen Hue Walking Street and Ben Thanh Market are all close by. It suits history lovers, couples and business travellers who want a well-located base with a sense of place.
If you are interested in the hotel's past, take a drink at the rooftop bar, where a 1967 photograph of the American reporter Peter Jennings and his crew has hung, and imagine the scene when the networks' correspondents gathered there after a day's reporting. Rooms on the higher floors give the best outlook over the centre, so it is worth asking about the view when you book.
A few practical points apply to most hotels in central Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Son Nhat International Airport is about 7 kilometres from the centre, and taxis, ride-hailing cars and city buses all make the trip; many hotels can also arrange a car on request. Rooms facing busy streets can be noisy, so ask for a higher floor or a quieter side if you are a light sleeper. Rates rise around Tet, the lunar new year, and at weekends, so book early for those dates, and check whether breakfast, taxes and service charges are included in the price you are quoted.
Caravelle Saigon FAQs
When did the Caravelle open?
On Christmas Eve 1959.
What star rating does it have?
The hotel describes itself as a five-star luxury hotel.
Where is it?
At 19-23 Lam Son Square, next to the Saigon Opera House.
Does it have a rooftop bar?
Yes, the Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar, with live music most nights.
Is there a spa?
Yes, Kara Spa.
Is there a pool?
Yes, the hotel has pool and fitness facilities.
What is its history?
In the 1960s it was the headquarters of CBS, NBC and ABC in Saigon.
How do I contact the hotel?
By phone on +84 28 3823 4999 or by email at [email protected].