📍 Location: 22 Lý Tự Trọng, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
🕰 Open 24/7
💰 Free entry (small fee for lift access)

At first glance, the unassuming five-story building at 22 Lý Tự Trọng might not catch your attention. Yet, this structure holds a place in history as the backdrop of one of the most iconic photographs of the Vietnam War.

A CIA Safe House and a Defining Image of War

During the final days of the war, this building functioned as a CIA safe house. Just before the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, American personnel and Vietnamese associates scrambled for evacuation. In a moment frozen in time, Dutch photojournalist Hubert van Es captured an image of desperate evacuees climbing a rickety ladder onto a rooftop helicopter. The photograph went on to symbolize the chaotic withdrawal of American forces and became one of the war’s most recognized images.

The rooftop still retains the lift apparatus platform where the helicopter once perched precariously. Though often mistaken for the U.S. Embassy rooftop, the real scene of the famous evacuation took place right here at 22 Lý Tự Trọng.

From War-Era Secret to Modern Hotspot

In recent years, this once-hidden historical site has undergone a transformation. It now houses trendy cafés, boutique fashion stores, and even a cooking school, blending modern urban culture with its storied past. Among the highlights is Cộng Cà Phê, a popular Vietnamese coffee chain known for its retro military-style decor, paying subtle homage to the building’s wartime legacy.

A Hidden Gem in Ho Chi Minh City

Despite its historical significance, many locals remain unaware of its past. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a curious traveler, 22 Lý Tự Trọng offers a unique contrast between the remnants of war and the ever-evolving vibrancy of Ho Chi Minh City today.