Does anyone know what use was made of the former presidential palace after the Vietnam war? The official histories say nothing. However, I noticed a couple of the bedrooms had air conditioners installed, suggesting that the palace was occupied after the war and before it became a museum piece.

It was used very briefly following the fall as the VC mopped up in the South but it wasn't used much and is still, supposedly, in the same state as it was the day that Saigon fell. The intention was to demonstrate that they didn't need the trappings of wealth that the vanquished did. It's telling that when the palace was surrendered the VC that it was surrendered to is supposed to have said; "You cannot give, what does not belong to you."

Great place to visit. They have kept it looking as it did when the VC arrived. More of a museum now

It's now one of the biggest tourist attractions in HCMC