Dragon Wharf is located in District 4; one of the city’s smallest but fastest developing districts. It was initially built as a trading harbour building, to facilitate the growing use of Saigon as a developing port back in the French colonial days. It was constructed in 1862. It stands just across the Khanh Hoi bridge which crosses the Ben Nghe canal, separating District 1 and District 4. It sometimes goes under its other name, The Ho Chi Minh Museum.
It was from this building, in 1911, that Ho Chi Minh departed the city on the French vessel. “Admiral Larouche Greville” at the start of his 30-year long worldwide journey. The city decided in 1979 to convert the harbour building into a museum and memorial park in his honour.
The harbour building features unique architectural designs that combine both Vietnamese and French colonial elements. The main structure is mainly typical French colonial mansion style house but features 2 typically Vietnamese dragons on the roof. These elements are more reminiscent of traditional pagodas and is from where the building took its name.
The building houses more than 3000 pictures and 700 other artefacts relating to the former President and iconic father-figure of the City, “Uncle Ho”. These include his journals, other publications and some personal belongings. The building has become a popular attraction in the city as people travel from all over to learn more of the life of Ho Chi Minh.
Dragon Wharf stands right on the waterfront adjacent to the famous Elisa floating restaurant. This old style sailing craft is the largest floating restaurant in the country. It seats 1,000 people over 5 floors. The boat is a permanent feature of the night time cityscape. It caters for both private parties and business events and is one of the finest places in the city from which to view the New Years fireworks.
