Saigon Opera House, located at 7 Lam Son Square, District 1, is a French colonial architectural landmark built in 1900 with show tickets ranging from 700,000 to 1,750,000 VND. To visit, go in the evening (6:00-8:00 PM) when performances are scheduled, book tickets in advance online or at the box office (028 3823 7295), and prepare smart casual attire as the theatre has strong air conditioning.
How to Get to Saigon Opera House
Exact Address
7 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City – facing Dong Khoi Street, between Continental and Caravelle hotels.
By Bus
Three bus routes stop near the opera house:
- Route 03: Stops at Municipal Theatre (50m walk)
- Route 19: Stops at Park Hyatt Saigon (100m walk)
- Route 45: Stops at Vincom Dong Khoi (150m walk)
Fare: 7,000 VND per ride. Operating hours: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM.
By Taxi/Grab
From Ben Thanh Market: 10-15 minutes, 25,000-35,000 VND From Tan Son Nhat Airport: 25-35 minutes, 100,000-150,000 VND From Mien Dong Bus Station: 30-40 minutes, 80,000-120,000 VND
Ride-hailing apps: Grab, Be, Xanh SM – allow you to see prices before booking.
Walking
If staying in District 1, the opera house is within walking distance from:
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street: 5 minutes (300m)
- Notre Dame Cathedral: 10 minutes (700m)
- Central Post Office: 12 minutes (800m)
Note: This area is crowded – watch your bags and phones.
Parking
Parking is available near the opera house:
- Motorcycles: 10,000-15,000 VND
- Cars: 30,000-50,000 VND
On weekends/show nights, parking fills up. Arrive 30-45 minutes early to secure a spot.
Ticket Prices & Booking Methods
2025 Price Guide
A O Show (Most popular show):
- Zone A (2nd floor corners): 700,000-800,000 VND
- Zone O (2nd floor center): 1,250,000 VND
- Zone W (1st floor VIP): 1,750,000 VND
Teh Dar Show & The Mist:
- Similar pricing to A O Show: 700,000 – 1,750,000 VND
Regular Programs (Ballet, Opera, Symphony):
- Standard tickets: 80,000 – 650,000 VND
- Special programs: 150,000 – 900,000 VND
Free admission: Children under 5 (ID required) 30% discount: Children 5-12 years old
3 Ways to Book Tickets
1. Online Booking (Recommended)
- Websites: Klook, GetYourGuide, Traveloka
- Direct: Luneproduction.com (for A O Show)
- Advantages: Choose seats, international card payment, instant confirmation
- Disadvantages: Must exchange e-ticket for paper ticket 30 minutes before show
2. Box Office
- Location: Basement level, 7 Lam Son Square
- Hours: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM (Mon-Fri), 9:00 AM-12:00 PM (Sat-Sun)
- Phone: 028 3823 7295
- Advantages: Direct consultation, receive tickets immediately
- Disadvantages: Popular shows may sell out
3. Walk-up Purchase (Not recommended)
- Only when tickets remain available
- High risk on weekends and holidays
- No guarantee of good seats
Seating Zone Comparison
| Zone | Location | Price (VND) | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | 1st floor center | 1,750,000 | Closest to stage, best view, free drinks (wine/cocktail) | Most expensive |
| O | 2nd floor center | 1,250,000 | Full panoramic view, balanced sound, free drinks | Further from stage than Zone W |
| A | 2nd floor sides/corners | 700,000-800,000 | Cheapest, still clear view | Angled view, some blind spots |
Recommendation: Zone O offers the best experience at a reasonable price. Zone A is still acceptable if on a budget.
2025 Performance Schedule
A O Show
Schedule: 3 times/week – Friday, Saturday, Sunday Times: 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM (2 shows daily) Duration: 60 minutes Content: Bamboo circus combined with contemporary dance, acrobatics, storytelling about the transformation from countryside to modern city in Southern Vietnam
Teh Dar Show
Schedule: Periodic, check website for current schedule Content: Vietnamese highland culture performance with bamboo circus
The Mist
Schedule: Seasonal performances Content: Life of rice farmers through neoclassical and modern dance
HBSO Programs (Symphony Orchestra)
Schedule: Non-fixed, varies by month Content:
- Symphony nights (Mozart, Beethoven, Bach)
- Classical ballet
- Opera
- Musicals
- Vietnamese music programs
Check schedule: Website hbso.org.vn or call 028 3823 7419
Show Experience Process
Before Show (60-90 minutes early)
- Arrive 60 minutes early – Theatre opens 1 hour before showtime
- Exchange tickets (if booked online) – At basement counter, takes 10-15 minutes
- Receive complimentary drink – Zone O/W get cocktail/wine, Zone A gets soft drink
- Photo outside – Architecture most beautiful when lit (5:30-6:00 PM)
- Explore main hall – Crystal chandeliers, decorated ceilings, red velvet seats
During Show
- No photography/filming allowed (strict enforcement)
- No eating or drinking in the auditorium
- Turn off phones or use silent mode
- Late arrivals must wait until intermission and will be seated in “latecomer seats”
After Show
- Photo opportunity with performers in lobby (10-15 minutes)
- Purchase souvenirs: T-shirts, show books (100,000-300,000 VND)
- Explore the illuminated surrounding area
Opera House Architecture
Exterior
- Style: Flamboyant style of the French Third Republic (1900)
- Architects: Félix Olivier, Ernest Guichard, Eugène Ferret
- Features:
- Cream-yellow facade with reliefs and ornate decorations
- White stone columns in Gothic style
- Goddess of arts statues (restored 1998)
- Grand staircase in Parisian style
Interior
- Capacity: 500 seats (reduced from 1,800 original seats after 1998 renovation)
- Design:
- Ceiling decorated with gilded reliefs
- Large crystal chandeliers
- Luxurious red velvet seats
- Granite flooring imported from France
- Modern sound system
Note: You cannot enter the theatre interior without purchasing a show ticket. Only exterior and main lobby viewing is available.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
✅ Beautiful, unique French colonial architecture in HCMC ✅ A O Show is high quality, highly rated on TripAdvisor (4.5/5 stars) ✅ Central location, easy to combine with other attractions ✅ Strong air conditioning, comfortable in hot weather ✅ Free photo opportunity with performers after show
Disadvantages
❌ Expensive tickets (700,000+ VND for good shows) ❌ No interior tours available (only when purchasing show tickets) ❌ Surrounding area crowded, parking difficult ❌ Shows often sold out on weekends ❌ Children under 5 not allowed (due to loud sound, bright lights) ❌ Late arrivals get poor seating regardless of ticket purchased
Important Tips
Dress Code
- Men: Collared shirt, trousers/khakis, closed shoes (avoid flip-flops, shorts)
- Women: Dress, blouse, trousers (avoid tank tops, flip-flops)
- Bring: Light jacket/sweater – air conditioning is very cold (18-20°C)
Best Time to Visit
- Evening (6:00-8:00 PM): Watch shows + architecture beautiful when illuminated
- Morning (9:00-11:00 AM): Photo outside with fewer people (cannot enter interior)
Safety
- Keep bags and phones secure – crowded area
- Don’t leave valuables on motorcycles when parking
- Be cautious of unlicensed taxis – use Grab/Be instead of hailing randomly
Book in Advance
Popular shows (A O, Teh Dar) sell out quickly, especially:
- Weekends
- Holidays (Tet, April 30, September 2)
- Peak tourist season (December-March)
Book 2-3 weeks ahead to ensure good seats.
Combine Your Visit
Saigon Opera House is in central District 1, easy to combine with:
Within 500m Radius
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street: 300m – 5 minute walk
- Continental Hotel: 50m – next to opera house
- Caravelle Hotel: 50m – next to opera house
Within 1km Radius
- Notre Dame Cathedral: 700m – 10 minute walk
- Central Post Office: 800m – 12 minutes
- Ben Thanh Market: 1km – 15 minute walk
- Independence Palace: 1.5km – 20 minute walk
Suggested Itinerary
Afternoon-Evening (4-5 hours): 3:00 PM – Notre Dame Cathedral + Post Office 4:30 PM – Nguyen Hue Walking Street (coffee, photos) 5:30 PM – Arrive at Opera House (exterior photos) 6:00 PM – Enter theatre, receive welcome drink 6:00-7:00 PM – Watch A O Show 7:15 PM – Photo with performers 7:30 PM – Dinner in surrounding area
Dining Near the Opera House
Before Show (5:00-5:45 PM)
- 4P’s Pizza: 600m, excellent Italian pizza, ~150,000-250,000 VND/person
- Secret Garden: Rooftop, upscale Vietnamese, ~250,000-400,000 VND/person
- Pasteur Street Brewing: Craft beer, ~100,000-200,000 VND/person
After Show (7:30-8:00 PM)
- Street food on Nguyen Hue: Pho, bun, com tam, ~50,000-100,000 VND
- Highlands Coffee: Coffee with Opera House view, ~50,000-80,000 VND
- Continental Hotel restaurant: Upscale, ~400,000+ VND/person
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A O Show suitable for children? Children 5 years and older are allowed. Children under 5 are NOT permitted due to loud sound and bright lights. Must bring ID proof of age (passport, birth certificate).
Are there English subtitles for the shows? A O Show has no dialogue, only music and performance art, so international visitors can understand. Other shows (Opera, Ballet) may have subtitles.
Can I take photos during the show? NO. Strict enforcement, and you may be asked to leave if you violate repeatedly. Photos with performers allowed only after the show.
Can I enter if I arrive late? Yes, but you must wait until intermission (around minutes 30-40 of the show) and will be seated in “latecomer seats” in poor positions, even if you purchased VIP tickets.
Are there guided tours of the opera house? NO separate tours available. You can only enter the interior when purchasing show tickets. Outside show times, you can only photograph the exterior.
Is there a coat check? Yes, free at the basement counter. Check large bags and heavy coats before entering the auditorium.
Are online tickets cheaper? Prices are similar, but online often has combo promotions (tickets + dinner, tickets + transport). Compare prices on Klook, GetYourGuide, Traveloka.
Is hotel pickup available? Some package tours (Viator, GetYourGuide) include District 1 hotel pickup, additional cost +200,000-500,000 VND.