Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh

Situated at the center of Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, aka Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica or Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception, is a symbol and one of the most famous Saigon attractions in the financial hub of Vietnam. As one of the most famous attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, this long-age cathedral attracts not only Catholics believers but also tourists and the locals of other religions because of its sacred atmosphere and magnificent structure beauty.

History of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

The history of this cathedral starts from the conquest of French in the late 19th century. The French government at that time wanted to have a big church to serve a community and religious services for French colonialists. The first church on Ngo Duc Ke Street was too small, so French Admiral Bonard decided to build a larger church. The construction was started on March 28th, 1863. After two years, the building was completed and called “ Saigon Church”.

In 1895, the French added two bell towers to the cathedral, each 57.6 meters high. Six bronze bells were installed around the towers. Crosses were mounted on top of each tower. Each cross is 3.5 m high, 2 m wide, and weighs 600 kg. The total height of the building, from foundation to top, is 60.5 meters.

The French also erected a bronze statue of Pigneau de Behaine (also known as the Bishop of Adran) leading Prince Canh, the eldest son of Emperor Gia Long. This statue stood in front of the church. In 1945, the statue was destroyed, though its base remained.

In 1959, Bishop Joseph Pham Van Thien commissioned a statue of Our Lady of Peace from Rome. On February 6, 1959, he held a ceremony to install the statue on the empty base. The following morning, Cardinal Agagianian from Rome solemnly presided over the ceremony for the statue, and the cathedral was renamed Notre-Dame Cathedral.

In 1960, Pope John XXIII erected Roman Catholic dioceses in Vietnam and the cathedral was named Saigon Chief Cathedral. In 1962, he anointed the Saigon Chief Cathedral and conferred the status of a basilica. From this time, this cathedral was called Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica.

Renovation of Notre Dame Cathedral

This landmark cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City has undergone three major renovations:

• 1895: Construction of bell towers’ pointed roofs
• 1903: Enhancement of church facade, addition of flower garden and Ba Da Loc monument
• 1959: Installation of Our Lady of Peace statue

A new renovation project began in August 2017 and completed in 2023. While closed for renovations, the cathedral still holds Sunday Mass at 9:30 am in Vietnamese and English. Tourists can visit the grounds and square.

Highlights of Notre Dame Cathedral

1. Material and Architecture

Notre-Dame Cathedral has been affected by the neo-Romanesque architectural style. Romanesque Revival (or Neo-Romanesque) is a style of building employed beginning in the mid-19th century inspired by the 11th- and 12th-century Romanesque architecture. The buildings of this style tended to feature more simplified arches and windows than their historic counterparts.

During the construction process, all construction materials from cement, steel to screws were brought from France. The exterior of the construction was made of bricks made in Marseille. It is bare, no plastering, no moss dust, and remains pink bright color. The entire cathedral has 56 stained-glass windows manufactured by Lorin of Chartres Province (France).

2. Design

The cathedral stretches 93m in length and 35m at its widest point, with a 21m-high dome. Its foundation can support ten times the building’s weight. The interior features two main rows with six columns representing the apostles. A monolithic marble altar showcases six carved angels.

Of the original 56 stained-glass features, only four remain intact – others underwent restoration in 1949 after World War II damage. The cathedral’s clever design creates soft natural lighting, while one of Vietnam’s two oldest pipe organs (now termite-damaged) resides inside.

3. Bell towers

Initially, the two bell towers were 36.6 m high, had no roof and only had a narrow staircase about 40 cm. The interiors are dark and the floor is poorly lined with small pieces of wood. In 1895, the cathedral built two more rooftops to cover the 21-meter-high bell tower, designed by architect Gardes, a total of 57 meters high bell tower. All six bells are hanging on the two bell towers. This bell was made in France and brought to Saigon in 1879.

The bells are electrically controlled from the below. On weekdays, the cathedral only rings at 5 am and at 4:15 pm. On holidays and Sundays, the church usually gives three rings. It was on Christmas Eve only to ring all six bells. You can even hear the bells from 10km away.

4. The clock

There is a big clock between the two bell towers. It was manufactured in 1887 and has 1 ton in weight. It’s so old but works correctly. In front of the church is a small square with four paths creating a cross.

5. The square in front of the church

Paris Commune Square is a small square located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, limited by Notre Dame Cathedral and Nguyen Du Street. This is also the starting point of the famous Dong Khoi Street. 

Paris Commune Square marks the beginning of Dong Khoi Street. At its center stands the Our Lady of Peace statue, created by G. Ciocchetti in 1959. This 4.6m, 8-ton Italian granite masterpiece depicts Our Lady holding a globe with a cross. The statue’s base contains a silver box holding peace prayers written on various materials, collected from across Vietnam.

What to Do around the Cathedral 

1. Walking around Nguyen Van Binh Book Street

Just walk around 150 meters from Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, you can reach this famous book street. This street is opened in 2016 and has become a “heaven” for book lovers. This street is about 100 meters long with so many kiosks 4 meters in width placed side by side. The books here are very variable of all kinds, from fiction, non-fiction, travel, comedy, etc. The books are quite cheap for readers and there are many comfortable seats for anyone looking for a place to read. You can see the scenes full of readers.

2. Visit War Remnants Museum

From Notre-Dame Cathedral Saigon, it takes about 10 minutes to visit this famous landmark. Established in 1975, this museum exhibits many photos in Vietnam War (1954 – 1975) of both sides: the US and North Vietnam. You can observe “tiger cages” which are used to keep the political prisoners. Visiting this museum is a useful way to know more about Vietnam’s history and the brutality of war.

• Location: 28 Vo Van Tan, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. 
• Opening hours: 7.30 am to 5 pm every day. 

3. Visit Independence Palace

Just 400 meters from Notre-Dame Cathedral is Independence Palace. Independence Palace, formerly Reunification Palace, is a famous site in Ho Chi Minh City. This place is the home and workplace for the President of South Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. It also was the place that remarked the end of the Vietnam War on April 30th, 1975.

Reunification Palace has five levels with different functions for the president and his officials. This destination, through so many historical events, is like a real “witness” in the Vietnam War. When visiting the church, don’t miss this place to learn and know more about the history of this city.

• Location: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: 08:00 – 11:00 & 13:00 – 16:00 every day.

4. Visit Ho Chi Minh City Museum

About 600 meters from Notre-Dame Cathedral is the Ho Chi Minh City Museum. Built in 1885, it is a grand and impressive building. In the museum, there are many photos, images, pictures from all kinds of materials and styles of art.

Under the museum is a network of bunkers and corridors that connects to the Reunification Palace. You can find multiple pieces of military equipment, including the jet of a South Vietnamese pilot to bomb the Palace.

• Location: 65 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe,  District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: 7:30 am – 5 pm every day.

5. Visit Saigon Central Post Office

About 100 meters from Notre-Dame Cathedral is the Saigon Central Post Office. Ho Chi Minh City Post Office or Saigon Central Post Office is the main post office and one of the most attractive tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Today, it has been the busiest post office in Vietnam.

The post office has all kinds of traditional postal services like mailing, selling postcards, or stamps. Foreign money exchange is also available. Inside the post office, you can buy souvenirs or write letters on wooden tables.

Don’t forget Mr. Duong Van Ngo – an old man sitting at the end of a long wooden table. Mr. Ngo has been working here since he was 17, as a polyglot public letter writer and a translator. When he retires, he often helps people write letters in English and French. 

• Location: No. 2 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City 
• Opening hours: 07:00 – 19:00 every day.

How to Get There

The cathedral has reopened to visitors following its major renovation (completed in 2023). You can reach it via several transportation options:

Bus:

• Express Bus: Lines E1, E2 (air-conditioned, digital payment)
• Regular Bus: Lines 04, 18, 30, 31, 36, 93, 120
• Smart Bus App shows real-time arrival times

Car/Taxi:

• 15-20 minutes from city center
• Popular ride-hailing apps: Grab, Be, GoJek
• Parking available at nearby 7-story smart parking structure

Metro:

• Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien): Get off at Opera House Station
• 5-minute walk to cathedral

Walking Distance:

• 10 minutes from Ben Thanh Market
• 5 minutes from Diamond Plaza
• Connected to Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Over the hundred years, this masterpiece always makes the visitors feel magnificent, solemn, close and amazed. For the locals, this always exists in their hearts as a sacred place. For its long-lasting history, Notre-Dame Cathedral is always considered as a stop for the people who seek for old beauties and calmness as well as one of the most famous attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.