Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City is recognized as one of the world’s 19 most majestic cathedrals by News outlet Business Insider of the US, representing the unique beauty of Southeast Asia culture. Visitors witness magnificent views from every corner of this cathedral, bringing an unforgettable impression.

In this blog, Vietnamtour.in will review all the special attractions in Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, and provide the essential instructions for your visit here.

Table of Contents

History of Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon

*Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon in 1948*

Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City used to be a spot of worship and community activities, mainly served for French colonists in the late 19th century. The name of Notre Dame Basilica in Saigon was officially named by Pope John XXIII – A front flag of the Roman Catholic dioceses in Vietnam.

Currently, the cathedral is the most long-standing religious site in Vietnam, with over 159 years old. Besides that, it is also an iconic symbol of Vietnamese history.

Architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon

Notre Dame Church in Saigon was built from durable materials – imported directly from France, which brings a highly resistant structure for its total space. That’s why Duc Ba Church still keeps its original beauty over time.

When coming here, you will surely be impressed by its design, which is built in neo-Romanesque and Gothic style. Inside this spot, there are various decoration ways, outstanding with a broad range of European-cultured relic sculptures. This highlights an elegant and classic overlook of the Cathedral.

Bell Tower

Belonging one of the most attractive points of Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City, the bell towers impress travelers with their unique beauty. Visiting this spot, you will have a chance to admire the tallest bell towers in Vietnam, together with six specially designed bronze bells. When the bells ring, you can completely hear the sounds around 10 kilometers.

Statue of the Virgin Mary

There is a magnificent statue of Our Lady of Peace (Virgin Mary) on the front campus. With an impressive bronze prayer “Notre Dame blesses the peace to Vietnam”, This statue is known as an iconic symbol of peace in Vietnam.

Location

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon is located on Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. This spot is in Ho Chi Minh’s downtown, thus, visitors can easily move here for their visit.

Best Time To Visit

We recommend you visit Duc Ba Church during the dry season in Saigon, ranging from December to April (next year). It is better to come to this spot to enjoy the sundown or sunset during the day. Let’s take a camera in your hand to capture a wonderful moment from the outside view.

Besides that, visitors can drop in here during the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh mass schedule, especially on weekends. At 09:30 AM on Sunday, you can hear the English mass from the Catholic local councils.

Things To Do

Attend mass hours: If you are a Catholic believer, don’t forget to visit Duc Ba Church during a fixed mass schedule for interesting experiences (weekday and weekend).

Enjoy nearby cafes: Visitors can take a cup of Vietnamese coffee, and then enjoy it at any corner of the trees or the lawn around the cathedral (called ground coffee).

Try local food: You can enjoy various flavorful street food in this spot, such as Banh Trang Tron, Banh Tam Bi, fresh fruits with chili salt, and so forth.

Feed the pigeons: Let’s try having a little piece of bread for several hundreds of friendly pigeons here, or even dance with them.

Stroll around Paris Commune Square: To experience the peaceful ambiance nearby, you can take a wander with friends and relatives around Paris Commune Square.

How To Get There

By bus: Take any bus on the bus number list, including 120, 93, 36, 31, 30, 18, and 04, which all pass through the city center and the landmarks nearby.
By taxi: Book any taxi or a Grab car service to come to the church for the most convenience.
By motorbike: Rent a motorbike to ride to the cathedral on your own (remember to keep your bike in the right parking lots). Or else, take a technology bike service like Be or Grad to restrict getting lost.

Travel Tips

*Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon is in the process of restoration*

If you want to have the best time in Notre Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City, don’t forget to take a look at some of our useful tips below:

Wear polite clothing and don’t take photos inside the hall
Bring light bags or luggage to easily move
Follow instructions from local guides to restrict unexpected incidents and learn more historical values
Try to visit in the mass schedule for interesting experiences

Our blog has just introduced Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon – one of the most famous historical sites in Vietnam. Don’t forget to follow our tips to have a wonderful time at this destination. To discover more interesting spots, let’s refer to our blog about things to do in Ho Chi Minh City to get information in detail. Have a nice trip to Vietnam!