Notre Dame Cathedral

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral(French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Saïgon) is a cathedral located in the downtown of Ho Chi Minh City.

Follow Deluxe Group Tours to share the experience of visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s symbols that features classic French architecture, standing uniquely amidst the vibrant and splendid Saigon.

Notre Dame Cathedral

1.Location

Notre Dame Cathedral is in the center of District 1, at 1 Cong Xa Paris Square, Ben Nghe Ward. It is officially named the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica and is commonly known by the shorter name Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral.

From the central location of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City it is easy to get here. If you are staying at one of the hotels nearby, it is also easy for you to stroll up and visit this beautiful Gothic cathedral where see Saigon’s scenic beauty. If you are staying farther away, a taxi is always your first choice when traveling anywhere, thanks to its convenience, affordability, and quick travel time.

You could also rent a motorbike for more control over your journey. The rental price for each motorbike is quite reasonable at 100,000 VND per day. Remember to take note of the directions to avoid getting lost at the intersections in Saigon. Upon reaching Notre Dame Cathedral, you can park your motorbike at Reunification Palace, Hoa Binh School, or the Youth Cultural House.

Additionally, other public transportation options, such as motorbike taxis, cyclos, or buses, are also worth considering.

2.Notre Dame Cathedral History

Notre Dame Cathedral is the second church built by the French on the Charner Riverbank since the early days of occupation in Saigon. The first church was located on Street No. 5 (now Ngo Duc Ke, District 1) and was originally a Vietnamese temple. After the Vietnamese fled from the area, Lefebvre transformed this temple into a Catholic church. However, due to its small size, the French decided to build a second church, Notre Dame Cathedral these days.

Notre Dame Cathedral 1920 . Source : vnexpress

Specifically, the main Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon was built on October 7, 1877, by Bishop Isodore Comlombert. The church’s architecture combines Roman and French Gothic architecture, giving it a classical and elegant appearance. It was constructed based on the design by the architect J. Bourard, a cathedral, a bell tower, and a park.

Until now, this church has undergone three renovations. The first renovation was the construction of the pointed bell tower in 1895. The second time was in 1903, refurbishing the church’s facade, creating a flower garden, and erecting the statue of Ba Da Loc. The third time was in 1959 when the Lady of Peace was installed.

Notre Dame Cathedral 1956. Source : vnexpress

At present, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is undergoing its fourth renovation, an immense restoration project that commenced in August 2017. As originally scheduled, the construction was projected to be concluded by June 2020. However, there are several problems, and this renovation is supposed to be completed in 2027. Despite the ongoing renovations, the church remains open to welcome Catholic worshipers every Sunday.

Today, the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is the largest Catholic center in Saigon and a famous tourist attraction that attracts enormous domestic and international tourists for visits.

3.Explore Notre Dame Cathedral Architecture

The cathedral inside the church: This is a place with an impressive design, capable of withstanding a load ten times the entire structure of the cathedral. The cathedral is designed with a primary nave, accompanied by two side aisles and two sets of prayer rooms. With 93 meters long, up to 35 meters wide, and 21 meters tall, it creates an enormous space, which can hold up to 1,200 people for sightseeing and prayer.

The Bell Tower: You will be overwhelmed by the grandeur of this bell tower, a structure likened to the soul of Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica. Initially, the construction only consisted of 2 bell towers, each 36.6 meters high and without a spire. It wasn’t until 1895 that the additional roof structure was built to cover the bell steeple, bringing its height to 21 meters. Thus, the overall design of the bell tower reaches a height of 57 meters. Until now, these two bell towers hang 6 bells representing 6 tones (DO, RE, MI, SOL, LA, SI, DO) with intricately carved patterns hanging.

Altar area: This is a focal point that will capture your attention. Made from solid marble, the altars here are massive in size. Additionally, the materials are intricately carved, combined with 56 stained glass panels of various colors pieced together to form a unique architectural whole. If you observe closely, you will notice that all the lines, edges, and patterns in the altar area exhibit the solemn and elegant characteristics typical of Roman and Gothic design styles.

The park outside: this area is located in the front of the church. In the park central, there is a Lady of Peace statue, meticulously crafted by sculptor G. Ciocchetti in 1959. The overall structure is 4.6 meters tall and weighs 8 tons, considered as an icon of the Notre Dame Cathedral. The statue is made of white Carrara marble from Italy, depicting the Virgin Mary image, standing upright with her left hand holding a globe adorned with the holy cross. Particularly noteworthy are the Virgin Mary’s eyes, which gaze earnestly toward the sky as if praying for peace for the country.

4. Notre Dame Cathedral highlights activities

• Visit the interior of Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral: When you come to Notre Dame Cathedral, don’t just stand outside for a check-in; instead, go inside to admire even more beautiful scenes. Every corner inside carries a unique and sophisticated architectural style, with deeply European-style stained glass windows. Walking inside the cathedral, you will gain a better understanding of the sacred church and discover many secrets of this place. Alternatively, you can enter to find peace and pray for peace and luck for yourself and your loved ones. An elegant, calm, and quiet Saigon with a powerful medieval atmosphere just behind the doors awaits you to explore.
• Check-in at the panoramic view of Notre Dame Cathedral: The panoramic view of Notre Dame Cathedral is splendid – with a clear sky, white cloud flying high in the air, and touches here and there redness, which gives it both majestic elements as well nostalgic images. Just raise your camera, and you’ll have beautiful pictures.
• Enjoy cafe bệt: It would be a pity for you not to savor cafe bệt (a cultural feature of the city’s youth that most young Vietnamese people gather and sit on the ground to chat with their friends) when visiting the Cathedral Of Notre. It’s truly wonderful to sip a cup of authentic Saigon coffee while admiring the cathedral, creating a relaxing experience. Saigon’s street food is unparalleled and delicious. The distinctive experience leaves a memorable impression on diners every time they return.
• Feeding the pigeons: It is so funny feeding the pigeons around, and this should not be ignored if you are to visit the cathedral. The chubby and friendly pigeons are very ‘welcoming,’ ready to greet and play with you by hopping onto your hands. So, when you come here, don’t forget to bring some seeds or a bit of leftover bread. It will make it easier for you to approach these adorable pigeons.

5.The Best Time to Visit Notre Dame Cathedral

The church is open to visitors for free, but it is advisable to note the mass hours to fully experience the Notre Dame Cathedral. Specifically, the mass hours at the church are in two-time frames, 5:30 AM and 5:30 PM, from Monday to Saturday. There are additional different times on Sundays: 5:30 AM, 6:45 AM, 8:00 AM, and 9:30 AM (mass in English), as well as several evening times at 4:00 PM, 5:15 PM, and 6:30 PM.

6.Notre Dame Cathedral Travel Tips

• Avoiding indecent behavior is an important thing to note, helping to demonstrate your respect for the church as well as its followers.
• As it is a religious space, you should refrain from joking, moving around aimlessly, and speaking loudly to maintain order and respect for those around you.
• Do not engage in petty theft to protect property and create a healthy environment.
• You should also refrain from smoking, which may affect others, as well as carrying sticks or weapons that disrupt order.