1. Where Is Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral?
Notre Dame Cathedral is located at Cong Xa Paris Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This church is only 500 m northwest of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and about 6.5 km southeast of Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
2. How Is Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Unique?
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, with its unique architectural beauty and history of more than 140 years, is an attractive destination for tourists when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. The church has a total length of 91m, a width of 35.5m, a main dome height of 21m and 2 bell towers on both sides nearly 57m high. The architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral is imbued with ancient French architecture, built according to the project of architect J. Bourard.
With a large, airy space from the outside to the inside of the cathedral. This place has become a symbol of Saigon, a tourist destination for visitors when coming to Ho Chi Minh City. You can visit, learn about history and attend the ceremony to honor the Virgin Mary to experience the sacredness and learn more about the unique cultural heritage of this city.
In addition, this is also an important place to hold episcopal ordination ceremonies. Welcoming representatives of the Holy See of Rome and is the place where thousands of priests are ordained.
3. History Of The Formation Of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral has a history of more than 140 years, and is a cultural and religious symbol of Ho Chi Minh City. Built in the 19th century after the French occupied Saigon, the church has gone through many important stages of development.
Initially, the French built a church on Ngo Duc Ke Street to hold ceremonies for Catholics, soldiers and the French government in Vietnam. However, the first church was too small, so in 1863, construction of the second church began on the bank of the Charner Canal (Grand Canal). The church was built of wood and completed in 1865, with the name Saigon Church. Later, the wooden church was damaged by termites, so in 1876, the Governor of Cochinchina decided to organize a design competition to rebuild the church.
The new project began on October 7, 1877 and was completed in 1880, under the design and supervision of the French architect – J. Bourad. The dedication and inauguration ceremony of the church took place on April 11, 1880, witnessed the presence of the Governor of Cochinchina Le Myre de Vilers. Initially, this project was called “State Church” because it was built and managed by the French State, with a total cost of up to 2,500,000 French francs.
It is worthy visiting Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece with red brick exterior walls from Toulouse, France. The two bell towers are 57.6m high with six bronze bells, and a statue of Saint Pigneau de Behaine. Since 1959, after the statue of Our Lady of Peace was attached to the stone pedestal in front of the church, the place was renamed “Notre Dame Cathedral.”
Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon is not only a unique architectural work, but also an important place in the history and religion of Vietnam. It represents the intersection of French culture and Catholicism in Vietnamese history. And it is an important destination for tourists who want to learn about the heritage and history of Saigon city.
4. Opening Hours And Entrance Fees To Visit Notre Dame Cathedral In Saigon
4.1 Entrance fees:
When visiting the church, you will be exempted from entrance fees. And you only have to pay for parking if you use your own vehicle. You can come here at any time of the week as long as you are free, even in the evening.
But you will only be able to visit the outside if you do not go during mass hours. Mass only takes place at certain times of the day. Therefore, to be able to listen to the sermons, you must note the mass schedule immediately.
4.2 Opening hours:
- From Monday to Saturday: will take place in 2 time slots: 5:30 am and 5:30 pm
- On Sunday, there will be 7 masses taking place at various time slots. In the morning, there will be a mass in English at 5:30 am, 6:45 am, 8:00 am and 9:30 am. There are 3 masses in the afternoon at 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
Sometimes the mass schedule may also change if there is a special occasion or during the renovation process. Remember to note these time slots to have a wonderful complete experience.
5. How To Get To Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral?
Located in the center of District 1, Notre Dame Cathedral is a place that everyone in Ho Chi Minh City knows. Therefore, you can easily get to the church by personal or public means such as motorbike, cyclo, bus or taxi,… at a very reasonable cost.
- If you go by personal vehicle (motorbike or private car), you just need to follow the map instructions or the google map app to the address of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral. Then, you can park your vehicle at surrounding locations such as: Hoa Binh School, Thong Nhat Hall or Thanh Nien Cultural House.
- You can refer to some bus routes to or have stops near the cathedral such as bus routes: 14, 18, 30, 36, 45, 93, 152.
- If you choose to travel by taxi, Ho Chi Minh City has many taxi companies for you to choose from. For the best experience, visitors can refer to taxi companies such as: Vinasun, Mai Linh, Saigon taxi, XANH SM, …
6. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Architecture
Built in the 19th century, this project uses all materials imported from France. From cement, steel to tiles and screws, it creates a classic and attractive architectural style.
The architecture of the church is a sophisticated combination of Roman and Gothic styles, creating a unique architectural masterpiece. The foundation of the cathedral is designed to withstand a load 10 times the weight of the entire church above.
6.1 Exterior architecture of the church:
Notre Dame Cathedral has an impressive size with a length of 91m, a width of 35.5m, and a dome 21m high. The two bell towers are 36.6m high, and if you include the two bell tower spires added in 1885, the total height of the bell tower is 57.6m.
On the outside, the architecture of the church has no fences or surrounding walls, creating a connection with the surrounding space. In front of the church, you will see a brilliant flower garden with the statue of Our Lady of Peace, which was sculpted by G.Ciocchetti in 1959. The statue is 4.6m high, weighs 8 tons, and is made of rare white marble from Italy.
6.2 Interior architecture of the church:
The interior architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral shows symmetry and the harmony between Roman and Gothic styles. The length of the cathedral is up to 93m, the widest width is 35m, and the dome is 21m high, creating a magnificent and solemn space that can accommodate up to 1,200 people.
Moreover, the church is illuminated by 56 stained glass windows, including 31 rose-shaped and 25 bull’s-eye windows, creating a beautiful and magical lighting effect. The light highlights the architectural details and creates a quiet, holy space.
6.3 Architecture of the Sanctuary Altar Area:
Inside the cathedral, there are two main rows of rectangular columns, each side with 6 statues representing the 12 Apostles. They made Sanctuary Altar of solid marble with 6 angels standing below the altar. Every architectural detail, from the murals to the marble altar, shows meticulousness and sophistication.
6.4 Church Bell Tower
The original design called for two bell towers 36.6m high, without a roof and only a narrow staircase of about 40 cm. The interior was dark and the floor was covered with small pieces of wood. In 1895, the cathedral added two more roofs to cover the 21m high bell tower designed by architect Gardes, making the total height of the bell tower 57m. All six bells are hung on the two bell towers. They made this bell in France and brought to Saigon in 1879.
The bells are controlled by electricity from below. On weekdays, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral only rings its bells at 5:00 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. On holidays and Sundays, the church usually rings three bells. The 6 bells ringing at the same time will have a very loud sound, you can even hear the bells from 10km away.
Between the two bell towers is a very large clock. It was manufactured in 1887 and weighs up to 1 ton. Although it is more than a hundred years old, the clock still works very accurately.
7. Specialties When Visiting Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
When you come here, you can enjoy street food such as:
- Saigon coffee: Iced milk coffee is a typical dish of Ho Chi Minh City.
- Street food: Crab soup, banh can, hu tieu, banh trang tron, bot chien, pha lau, bun bo, Saigon bread, …
With extremely rich and diverse specialties. If you don’t know where to go, here are some suggestions for famous restaurants and cafes in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Saigon Port. Address: 05 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ward 12, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Indochina Junk. Address: Nha Rong Port Wharf, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City.
- La Brasserie Restaurant. Address: 235 Nguyen Van Cu, Nguyen Cu Trinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Noir. Dining in the Dark. Address: 180D Hai Ba Trung, Da Kao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Yu Chu Restaurant. Address: Ground Floor, InterContinental Saigon Hotel, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Cong Ca Phe Sai Gon. Address: 26 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Co Ba Saigon Coffee. Address: 1st Floor, 2-4-6 Dong Khoi, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Orientea Saigon. Address: No. 42/71 Nguyen Hue, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Danshari Coffee Saigon. Address: No. 156B Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Okkio Caffe Saigon. Address: No. 120 – 122 Le Loi, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
8. Accommodation When Visiting Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
When traveling here, you can refer to some of the following accommodations:
- Park Hyatt Saigon. Address: No. 2 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- The Reverie Saigon Hotel. Address: 22-36 Nguyen Hue, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Mia SaiGon Luxury Boutique Hotel. Address: 2-4 Street No. 10, An Phu, Thu Duc City.
- Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers. Address: No. 88 Dong Khoi, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Majestic Saigon Hotel. Address: No. 1 Dong Khoi, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
9. Some Other Famous Tourist Attractions Near Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
9.1 Independence Palace
Independence Palace is a historical architectural work located near Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, carrying more than 150 years of culture and history. Ngo Viet Thu architect designed this work, with a strong modern style mixed with traditional Vietnamese architecture. The thematic area organizes exhibitions recreating important historical events, while the additional area stores valuable historical images and artifacts.
9.2 Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, a historical and cultural symbol of Saigon. Built in 1912, after more than 100 years of existence, the market still retains the classic French architecture, becoming an integral part of many generations of Saigon people. The market is also famous for its vibrant night market space, where locals and tourists gather every evening to enjoy specialties and participate in the bustling life of the “city that never sleeps.”
9.3 Vietnam History Museum
Located at 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem, District 1, the Vietnam History Museum is a must-see destination near Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral. The museum collects and displays many valuable historical and cultural artifacts of Vietnam from the Hung Kings to the present.
The museum building has ancient Indochinese architecture, creating a poetic space. The corridors, lush green trees, and classical details create a beautiful picture. Inside, you will discover diverse displays of the history and culture of Vietnam and neighboring cultures such as Champa.
Notre Dame Cathedral is an attractive tourist destination in Ho Chi Minh City that visitors should visit. This place is not only a famous architectural work of art, but also a spiritual tourist destination. But also a historical witness of Saigon, it has witnessed many fluctuations, changes and developments of this young city.
Contact Origin Vietnam – the leading tour operator in Vietnam. We will accompany you on the Ho Chi Minh city tour to explore this ancient, historical cathedral with sacred and memorable experiences.
Source photos: Internet
