Reunification Palace

The President's Palace, a Ho Chi Minh City landmark, was built on the ruins of an old French palace, built during the French colonial century. This impressive building was completed and occupied by the President of South Vietnam in 1967. Eight years later the North Vietnamese won the war. The Palace was then renamed the Reunification Palace and is now a museum and tourist attraction.
It contains several lovely large conference and entertainment rooms, an office, library, formal dining room, theatre, and living quarters. Built during the war it has at least two levels underground which provided the headquarters for the war effort and a place of safety for the President in case of bombing. On the ground level is a large room with walls covered with photos which chart the course of the Vietnam War.
We have led two sets of guests through the building this month. It is well worth a visit if ever you come to our city. The 1970's projection equipment, war time telephones and other items remind visitors of the vast technological changes that have occurred in 35 years.
I find it to be an attractive building set within lovely park like grounds. It is not altogether tranquil since two tanks and jet plane sit amidst the trees and constant downtown traffic is seen and heard just outside the gates.
I don't know how much the palace construction costs totalled. I do know that it was expensive and took almost five years to build;  and then was occupied for only eight years.  On each of my three visits I have wondered about the time, energy and cost involved for a brief 8 year occupancy. We humans do spend a lot of time and effort on things that either don't last - or we don't last to enjoy them for long. Jesus had quite a lot to say on that subject, didn't He?