The palace grounds were busy on the afternoon of Aug. 12, with most visitors using smartphones to take pictures. Tourists moved easily through the halls, corridors, and other popular photo spots, as fewer photo crews took up space for extended periods.
While about 10 people carried cameras and tripods, there were no large crews with costumes and props. Popular locations like the windows facing Le Duan Street, staircases, and the Credential Presentation Room were freely accessible to visitors.
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Tourists take photos at the Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tuan Anh |
Under a new fee schedule introduced on Aug. 1, photography fees start at VND500,000 (US$19) per camera for individual services such as graduation and birthday shoots.
Crews of up to eight people need to pay VND1.5 million for outdoor shoots and VND3 million for shoots covering both indoor and outdoor areas.
Commercial productions require separate arrangements with the administration.
An earlier release also listed a VND10-million monthly package for up to 10 outdoor shoots, but it was later scrapped.
Mai Quang Huy, a security guard who has worked at the palace for over 31 years, says large photo crews previously blocked walkways, occupied resting benches, and even used public restrooms to change outfits, leaving trash behind.
“Now there are fewer of these groups, and so it is much easier to accommodate normal visitors.”
Ha Vy, 30, a frequent visitor there, notes the place felt much more pleasant on Aug. 12.
“I used to see many groups come here mainly to take pictures. They would talk loudly and hog spots for a long time without making room for others.”
She adds that she supports the photography fee to protect the space for regular visitors.
Rahul Sharma, a 32-year-old tourist from India, says he brought a camera into the palace and found the security guards supportive.
He took a few souvenir photos and continued his tour without disrupting other visitors.
Nhat Bao, a wedding photographer who has often shot at the palace, says he no longer takes clients there, opting instead for the Municipal Theater and the Botanical Gardens.
Changing locations also requires him to adjust his pricing, he says.
“My crew usually has about eight people, along with many accessories. If we shoot at the Independence Palace, we have to pay the extra fees for the whole crew, which will double our price.”
He notes that if clients insist on shooting at the palace, the additional fees will be added to their bill.
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A group of Indian tourists at the Independence Palace on Aug. 12, 2026. Photo by Tuan Anh |
Bui Huu Toan, director of the palace administration, says visitor numbers remained steady between Aug. 1 and 12, with over 60,000 people arriving. During the period, the palace sold 89 photography permits at VND500,000 each, he says.
The management team has deployed security guards to monitor the grounds and remind visitors to follow the new rules.
The Independence Palace is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most famous historical landmarks, drawing large crowds of both domestic and international tourists. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.