Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is a check-in spot not to be missed when coming to Ho Chi Minh City. With ancient French architecture and luxurious space from the outside to the inside of the cathedral, this location is considered the largest Catholic church in Vietnam and also one of the symbols of Saigon.
Address: Paris Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Notre-Dame Cathedral, commonly referred to as Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, is a popular shorthand among locals for convenient use. The full name of this structure is the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica, also known as the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady.
The cathedral has a length of 91m, a width of 35.5m, and the main roof vault reaches a height of 21m. The two bell towers on either side stand at nearly 57m in height. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica in Saigon showcases a classic French architectural style, designed by the talented architect J. Bourard. The exterior of the cathedral is spacious and airy, while the interior exudes elegance and reverence. According to Saigonlocaltour, it is one of the most iconic attractions in Saigon, beloved by both domestic and international tourists.
History of Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral begins with the French invasion towards the end of the 19th century. The French government at the time aimed to construct a large cathedral to serve the community and cater to religious activities for the French authorities and military personnel. The first church was initially located on Ngô Đức Kế Street but was deemed too small, leading French Admiral Bonard to decide on building a larger cathedral.
Construction of Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica commenced on March 28, 1863. Within two years, the cathedral was completed. By 1895, the French added two bell towers, each surrounded by six small bronze bells. At the top of each tower, a cross measuring 3.5m in height, 2m in width, and weighing 600kg was designed. At this point, the height of the building, from the ground to its highest point, was 60.5m.
The French also commissioned a bronze statue of Pigneau de Behaine (also known as Bishop Adran) leading Prince Canh, the eldest son of King Gia Long. This statue was placed in front of the cathedral. In 1945, the statue was destroyed, but the statue's base remains intact.
In 1959, Bishop Joseph Phạm Văn Thiện commissioned a statue of Our Lady of Peace from Rome. On February 7, 1959, Cardinal Agagianian from Rome presided over the solemn statue dedication ceremony. Since then, the cathedral has been commonly referred to by locals as Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica.
In 1960, Pope John XXIII established the Roman Catholic Diocese in Vietnam, and the cathedral's name was changed to Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. In 1962, the Pope bestowed the title "Basilica" upon the cathedral.
Up to the present day, this cathedral has undergone three major renovations. The first renovation involved the construction of pointed bell towers in 1895. The second, in 1903, focused on elevating the front facade, creating a flower garden, and installing the statue of Peaceful Bodhisattva. The third was the installation of the statue of Our Lady of Peace in 1959.
Currently, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is undergoing its fourth renovation, a comprehensive project that commenced in August 2017. Originally scheduled for completion in June 2020, due to various issues, the repair work is now expected to conclude in 2027.
Throughout the renovation process, the cathedral remains open to welcome Catholic worshippers every Sunday. Especially at 9:30 AM every Sunday, there is a bilingual (Vietnamese and English) Mass. For tourists and visitors, the grounds and the square in front of Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica are still accessible for strolling and photography.
Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral was constructed in the Neo-Romanesque architectural style, also known as Romanesque Revival. This architectural style gained popularity in the mid-19th century, drawing inspiration from the Romanesque architecture of the 11th and 12th centuries. Buildings in this style are characterized by vaulted ceilings and simple window designs.
During the construction of Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral, all materials, from cement and steel to screws, were imported from France. The exterior of the structure was made from bricks manufactured in Marseille. The advantage of these bricks is that they do not require plastering, do not accumulate moss or dust, and maintain their bright pink color over the decades. The entire cathedral boasts 56 stained glass windows, crafted in the province of Chartres, France.
The foundation of the cathedral was specially designed to bear a load ten times the total weight of the entire architectural structure. One distinctive feature is that the church lacks fences or walls, unlike other churches in the Saigon-Gia Dinh region at the time.
The interior of the cathedral features two main rectangular aisles, each with six rows symbolizing the twelve apostles. The altar of Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is crafted from solid granite with six angels carved into the stone. The altar is divided into three sections, each depicting a sculpted scene of a miracle.
The walls are adorned with 56 stained glass windows depicting characters or events from the Bible, 31 circular rose windows, and 25 multi-colored bull's-eye windows combined with beautiful images. Every line, molding, and pattern follows the dignified and elegant style of Roman and Gothic architecture. However, out of these 56 stained glass windows, only 4 remain intact. The rest were repaired in 1949 due to damage from the war.
In its original design, the two bell towers were 36.6m tall, had no roofs, and featured a narrow staircase of about 40cm width. The interior was dimly lit, and the floor was paved with small wooden pieces. In 1895, the church added two roofs to cover the bell towers, each 21m high, designed by architect Gardes, making the total height of the bell towers 57m. All six bells are suspended between the two bell towers. These bells were made in France and brought to Saigon in 1879.
The bells are controlled electrically from below. On regular days, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral only rings the bells at 5 AM and 4:15 PM. On holidays and Sundays, the church typically rings the bells three times. When all six bells chime simultaneously, the sound is quite loud, audible from a distance of up to 10km.
Between the two bell towers, a very large clock is placed. Manufactured in 1887, it weighs a whopping 1 ton. Despite being over a century old, the clock still operates very accurately.
Paris Commune Square, situated between Notre-Dame Cathedral and Nguyen Du Street, features prominently the statue of Our Lady of Peace at its center. This area is a popular stop for visitors, offering a space to enjoy coffee, take photos, and admire pigeons. Particularly on weekend mornings, it attracts a lively crowd of young people who gather here for conversations and leisure activities.
The image of Notre-Dame Cathedral has long become a symbol representing the splendid land of Saigon. Nearby attractions include Independence Palace and the City Post Office. Combining a visit to these three famous landmarks allows you to explore Saigon in its entirety.
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