A handful of hotels in Ho Chi Minh City have outlasted empires, wars, and name changes. The oldest, the Hotel Continental Saigon, opened in 1880 and still stands on Lam Son Square opposite the opera house. This guide compares five historic properties — Continental, Majestic, Grand, Caravelle, and Rex — using verified facts from property websites, travel guides, and review platforms.
Last checked: 2026-07-27
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Hotel Grand Saigon: 95-year-old heritage hotel on Dong Khoi Street · Rex Hotel: Famous for hosting the press during the Vietnam War · Hotel Continental Saigon: One of the oldest hotels in Ho Chi Minh City · Saigon Hotel: Centrally located at 41-47 Dong Du Street, overlooking Saigon River
How we researched this guide
Last checked: 2026-07-27.
Sources reviewed: Official hotel websites, Booking.com listings, TripAdvisor reviews, Fodor’s Travel guide, Wikipedia (English, French, Japanese, Spanish), Expedia, Travelocity, Trip.com, and travel blogs.
We did not conduct on-site inspections, staff interviews, or independent price verification. Historical claims are based on published records and may reflect best-available information rather than official archives.
Four historic Saigon hotels at a glance
- Oldest continuously operating hotel in Ho Chi Minh City — opened in 1880 (Fodor’s Travel)
- Riverfront palace hotel built in 1925 by Hui Bon Hoa, a wealthy Chinese businessman (French Wikipedia)
- Opened in 1930, originally a small refreshment shop that evolved into a premier hotel (Housing Saigon)
- Famous for hosting the international press during the Vietnam War; 286 rooms with a rooftop garden bar (MLifeOn)
| Hotel | Fact |
|---|---|
| Hotel Continental Saigon | 95-year-old heritage hotel on Dong Khoi Street |
| Rex Hotel | Famous for hosting the press during the Vietnam War |
| Hotel Continental Saigon | One of the oldest hotels in Ho Chi Minh City |
| Saigon Hotel (unverified) | Centrally located at 41-47 Dong Du Street – data not independently confirmed |
What is the most luxurious hotel in Ho Chi Minh City?
According to the Michelin guide and other travel authorities, the most luxurious hotel in Ho Chi Minh City is The Reverie Saigon, a modern five-star property in District 1 known for its opulent Italian design and high-end service. However, among the older historic hotels, the Majestic Hotel Saigon (classified five-star since 2007) and the Caravelle Saigon (rated ~4.6/5 on TripAdvisor) are considered the premium heritage options. (TripAdvisor Germany)
The pattern: Modern luxury dominates in terms of amenities, but historic properties trade on atmosphere and location rather than cutting-edge facilities.
Top luxury hotels in District 1
District 1 contains nearly all of the city’s heritage hotels. Besides the Reverie and Majestic, travelers often name the Park Hyatt Saigon and Hotel Indigo as top-tier options. The Majestic’s street address at 01 Đồng Khởi Street places it directly on the riverfront, a location that adds to its prestige. (French Wikipedia – Majestic)
What makes The Reverie Saigon stand out?
While not a historic hotel, The Reverie Saigon has earned a Michelin guide recommendation and offers suites with marble bathrooms, a spa, and a swimming pool. Its location on Nguyen Hue walking street is a modern contrast to the colonial-era properties on Dong Khoi. (Trip.com) notes that the average price for a historic hotel night in the city is around US$189, while the Reverie typically commands higher rates.
What was the famous Saigon hotel in the Vietnam War?
The Rex Hotel Saigon is the most widely recognized wartime hotel. It served as the press center for international journalists covering the conflict, and its rooftop garden bar became a legendary meeting spot. The Vietnamese-language review platform MLifeOn describes the Rex as “hop bao chien tranh” (war press hub) and notes that room prices start around US$70 per night for a superior room. (MLifeOn)
What this means: The Rex’s military-journalism history is its primary draw. Travelers should be aware that some rooms are dated, and street noise can be an issue.
Rex Hotel: Press center during the conflict
The five-story building at 41 Nguyen Hue Boulevard was originally built as a department store in 1927 and later converted into a hotel. During the Vietnam War, the US military held daily press briefings that became known as the “Five O’Clock Follies.” The Rex’s TripAdvisor rating hovers around 4/5, with location and the rooftop garden cited as strengths. (TripAdvisor Germany)
Historical role of other hotels (Continental, Grand Saigon)
The Hotel Continental Saigon also played a role: Graham Greene stayed in room 214 while writing “The Quiet American,” and the hotel was a meeting place for journalists and diplomats. The Grand Hotel Saigon, according to Spanish-language TripAdvisor lists, was one of “five or six” large historic hotels in the city and retains traditional French-occupation-era style. (TripAdvisor Spain)
What is the oldest hotel in Ho Chi Minh City?
The Hotel Continental Saigon, built in 1880, is widely cited as the oldest continuously operating hotel in Vietnam. A Fodor’s expert review confirms that its outdoor courtyard and dining area date from the late 19th century, with frangipani trees believed to have been planted in 1880. (Fodor’s Travel)
The Grand Hotel Saigon opened later, in 1930, and the Majestic dates to 1925. The Continental thus predates both by more than four decades.
The catch: The Continental lacks a swimming pool, which Fodor’s lists as a drawback. Guests who want a pool might prefer the Caravelle or Majestic.
Hotel Continental Saigon: A colonial-era landmark
The hotel sits at 132–134 Đồng Khởi Street, directly across from the Saigon Opera House on Lam Sơn Square. Its French-colonial architecture, described by Fodor’s as “old-world charm,” includes a courtyard with wrought-iron balconies. The hotel does not have a pool, and street noise is occasionally reported in reviews. (Fodor’s Travel)
Hotel Grand Saigon: Over 95 years of history
The Grand Hotel Saigon at 08 Đồng Khởi Street has more than 95 years of history, having opened in 1930. It started as a small refreshment shop before growing into a five-star property. Housing Saigon categorizes it as one of the three oldest hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, alongside the Continental and Majestic. (Housing Saigon)
What is Hotel Grand Saigon known for?
The Grand Hotel Saigon is known for its prime location on iconic Đồng Khởi Street, its five-star service, and its 95-year heritage. Guests frequently mention its central position near major attractions such as the Saigon Opera House and Ben Thanh Market. The hotel operates 24/7 and can be reached at +84 28 3915 5555. (Housing Saigon)
Why this matters: For travelers who want a historic atmosphere without sacrificing modern amenities (including a pool, which the Continental lacks), the Grand is a strong competitor.
Location and accessibility
The Grand sits at 08 Đồng Khởi Street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, right in the heart of the city’s shopping and dining district. It is a 20–30 minute drive from Tan Son Nhat International Airport depending on traffic.
Historical significance
Like the Continental and Majestic, the Grand has operated continuously since the French colonial period. According to Japanese-language sources, the Grand is one of a handful of luxury hotels in Ho Chi Minh City that have never closed. (Japanese Wikipedia – Majestic)
Amenities and dining
The Grand Hotel Saigon offers a restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an outdoor pool. Spanish-language TripAdvisor reviews describe it as having rooms that retain a traditional French-occupation-era style but with modern amenities.
