From 1871 to 1887, Norodom Palace was used as the residence and workplace of the Governor of Cochinchina, and for this reason, it was also known as the Governor's Palace.

In 1887, the French government established the position of Governor-General of Indochina, and Norodom Palace became the residence of the Governor-General of Indochina in Saigon, hence it was now called the Governor-General's Palace. Throughout the period of French Indochina, this place was considered the main administrative body of French rule over the entire Indochina region.

In March 1945, after the Japanese coup against the French, the palace became the workplace and ruling center of Japan in Vietnam. However, it was only until September 1945, after Japan's unconditional surrender and France's return to occupy South Vietnam, that Norodom Palace once again became the headquarters of the French administration in Vietnam.

It was not until after the victory of Điện Biên Phủ in 1954 that France decided to withdraw from Vietnam and the palace was handed over by French representative General Paul Ely to the representative of the Republic of Vietnam government, Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem.

A year later, Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm deposed Chief of state Bảo Đại and became President after a referendum. Subsequently, Norodom Palace was renamed Independence Palace by Ngô Đình Diệm, and at this time it was also known as the Presidential Palace.

From then on, the palace became the residence and workplace of the President, and also the symbol of the government of the Republic of Vietnam.