In 1858; France launched an attack on 朽 N?ng; starting its invasion of Vietnam. In 1867; France completed its conquest of southern Vietnam (Cochinchina); comprising the provinces of Bi阯 Ho? Gia ?nh; ?nh Tu?ng; Vinh Long; An Giang; and H?Ti阯. To consolidate the newly established colony; on 23 February 1868; Lagrandi鑢e; Governor of Cochinchina; held a ceremony to lay the foundation stone of a new palace to replace the old wooden palace built in 1863.

The new palace was designed by Hermite; who was also the architect of the Hong Kong City Hall. The first cubic stone; measuring 50 cm along each edge; with indentations containing French gold and silver coins bearing Napoleon III's effigy; came from Bi阯 H騛. The complex covered an area of 12 hectares; including a palace with an 80-meter-wide fa鏰de; a guest-chamber capable of accommodating 800 people; with a spacious gardens covered by green trees and a lawn. Most of the building materials were imported from France. Owing to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870; construction fell behind schedule and was not completed until 1873. The palace was named Norodom Palace after the then king of Cambodia; Norodom (1834-1904).

On 27 February 1962; two pilots of Ngo Dinh Di?m's Vietnam Air Force rebelled and flew two A-1 Skyraider aircraft towards the palace and bombed it; instead of going on a raid against the Vi?t C?ng. As a result; almost the entire left wing was destroyed. However; Di?m and his family escaped the assassination attempt. As it was almost impossible to restore the palace; Di?m ordered it demolished and commissioned a new building - the current Reunification Palace - in its place. Pictures From History Pictures From History