The Municipal Theatre — known to most visitors as the Saigon Opera House — was built in 1897 in French Baroque style and is one of the most elegant buildings in the city. It sits at the top of Dong Khoi Street, its ornate facade facing Lam Son Square between the Caravelle Hotel and the Continental Hotel.
The building still operates as a performing arts venue, staging Vietnamese classical music, modern dance, and occasional international performances. Tickets are inexpensive by any international standard. Even if you don't attend a show, the exterior at night — lit up and reflected in the puddles after rain — is one of the best views in District 1. The surrounding Lam Son Square is a pleasant place to sit in the evenings.