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Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral: Ho Chi Minh French Colonial Landmark

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral: Ho Chi Minh French Colonial Landmark

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral: Ho Chi Minh French Colonial Landmark
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral: Ho Chi Minh French Colonial Landmark
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral: Ho Chi Minh French Colonial Landmark
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral: Ho Chi Minh French Colonial Landmark

Discover Ho Chi Minh City's Iconic Landmark

Discover the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, a magnificent French Colonial masterpiece. It anchors the bustling heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Specifically, this cathedral represents both Vietnam’s past and its enduring faith. In essence, visitors experience a living piece of 19th-century France transplanted to Southeast Asia.

A Touch of France: Architecture and History

The cathedral’s vibrant red brick façade immediately captures attention. This distinct color separates the structure from its tropical surroundings. Remarkably, workers imported all these bricks entirely from Marseille, France. Furthermore, they have retained their distinctive hue for over a century, despite the harsh climate.

  • Design Origin: Architect Jules Bourard designed the basilica. He created a seamless blend of Neo-Romanesque and Gothic styles. Consequently, the structure makes an elegant architectural statement that proudly showcases French prestige.

  • Twin Towers: The twin bell towers crown the structure. They reach approximately 60 meters into the sky. Six massive bronze bells sit inside these towers. Today, these iconic towers dominate the city skyline and provide a popular photographic backdrop.

A Center of Faith and Public Life

Officially, we call it the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception. The church remains an active and central place of worship for the city’s Catholic community.

  • The Virgin Mary Statue: The statue of the “Our Lady of Peace” (Virgin Mary) sits in front of the cathedral. Moreover, it provides a quiet, reflective counterpoint to the city’s ceaseless energy.

  • Prime Location: The cathedral anchors a popular square. It sits right next to the historic Central Post Office. Therefore, this French architectural cluster is one of the city’s premier attractions.

Important Visitor Notice

  • Restoration Status: Attention visitors: The cathedral is currently undergoing a meticulous, long-term restoration project. Workers are trying to preserve its historical structure. However, you can still fully admire its impressive exterior and twin towers.

  • Interior Access: If you wish to see the interior, check local schedules for Mass times. Services often include an English Mass on Sundays.

  • Dress Code: Finally, visitors must dress respectfully. Please cover your shoulders and knees to honor its religious status.

Additional Information
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nn N. profile picture
nn N.
00:03 23 Nov 25
Notre Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh – Currently Underwhelming

Visited the Notre Dame Cathedral during my trip — unfortunately, it’s under renovation, so much of its charm is hidden behind scaffolding. In photos, it doesn’t quite capture the grandeur you’d expect.

Right now, it feels like just another cathedral to tick off the list rather than a highlight. Still worth a quick stop if you're nearby, but don’t set your expectations too high until the restoration is complete.
David L. profile picture
David L.
00:43 19 Nov 25
At this point, there’s no reason to go and try to see the cathedral at all. It’s completely covered with scaffolding to where you can’t even see the towers at all let alone get in.
Liam profile picture
Liam
03:24 09 Nov 25
The church is currently being renovated, so don’t your expectations up. From the side you should be able to see a bit of the style, but it’ll take some time before you can witness the impressive front side.
Richard A F. profile picture
Richard A F.
10:07 01 Nov 25
My timing was a bit off when I visited Notre Dame in Ho Chi Minh. The famous basilica was undergoing a massive renovation and it was closed to the public. I just walked around it and took a pic of the lovely statue in front.
MTC profile picture
MTC
13:41 28 Sep 25
It’s a pity that it is currently under renovation. I hope that after completion it will continue to show its beautiful architectural appearance and continue to be one of the cultural landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City.
Jason S. profile picture
Jason S.
10:11 21 Aug 25
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is a majestic French-built landmark in District 1. Its red-brick twin spires, stained glass windows, and ornate interior convey serenity amid bustling downtown. Currently under thorough restoration (active since 2017, now expected to finish by 2027), work includes roof repairs, tower stone replacement, cross restoration, new ventilation, and a future pipe organ. Renovation is careful and respectful — Masses continue, though scaffolding and fences limit access. Expect ambiance, history, and still-unfinished charm.
Akshat G. profile picture
Akshat G.
14:11 27 Jul 25
We visited this area in the morning. The Notre-Dame Cathedral is currently under renovation, and some locals nearby told us that the construction has been ongoing for quite a long time and is expected to finish around 2027.

But don’t worry — right opposite the cathedral is the Central Post Office, another major attraction in Ho Chi Minh City. Many people visit this historic building for its beautiful architecture and cultural value.

Also, this spot is where Ho Chi Minh City’s official tourist buses start their route. These buses cover all major sightseeing places across the city. You’ll usually find one or two buses parked here near the intersection, ready to take tourists around.

Even if the cathedral is under construction, this area still offers a lot to experience and makes for a great stop during your city tour.
Williams R. profile picture
Williams R.
15:18 22 Jun 25
I visited Notre-Dame Cathedral on a weekday morning, and it was a peaceful experience. Despite being located in the busy center of Saigon, the area around the cathedral feels calm, open, and reflective.

The building is impressive — the red brick facade, the tall twin towers, and the classic French colonial design give it a unique charm. Even though the interior is currently closed for restoration, the outside alone is worth seeing.

Locals come here to relax, pray quietly, or simply enjoy the surroundings. Street vendors nearby sell drinks and snacks, and you can easily walk to other attractions like the Central Post Office or Book Street.

I sat on a bench for a while, watched the pigeons, and felt surprisingly at peace in the heart of a noisy city.
patrice H. profile picture
patrice H.
08:21 24 Apr 25
Despite it is currently under renovation (April 19th 2025) and mostly covered with scaffolding, you can see parts of the Cathedral, testimony of the French presence period.
Not far from the Opera House and the Post Office.
You can also see the Cathedral from the uppest level of the Diamond Plaza Mall
Laiju L. profile picture
Laiju L.
17:27 21 Mar 25
The Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, built between 1863 and 1880 by French colonists, is a key landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. Featuring Romanesque architecture with a striking red brick facade and twin bell towers, it was constructed to serve the French Catholic community and remains a symbol of Vietnam’s colonial past. We had seen its beauty online, but unfortunately, due to renovations, the church was completely covered, leaving nothing visible. Despite our bad luck, we still managed to take a few pictures to capture the moment. Later, we hoped to enter inside to pray, but once again, luck wasn’t on our side. The watcher informed us that a function was taking place, and tourists weren’t allowed to enter.
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