Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon (Nha Tho Duc Ba, often simply called Saigon Cathedral) is the most famous landmark in central Ho Chi Minh City — a red-brick cathedral with twin bell towers, built by the French between 1877 and 1880. Today it is still an active Catholic church and one of the most photographed buildings in Vietnam — the best-known Notre Dame in Vietnam.
In this blog, Vietnamtour.in covers the history and architecture of the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, the latest restoration update for 2026, mass times, how to get there, and the best things to do nearby for Indian travellers.
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral at a glance (updated November 2026)
- Address: 1 Cong Xa Paris (Paris Commune Square), Sai Gon ward (formerly Ben Nghe ward, District 1), Ho Chi Minh City.
- Built: 1877–1880 by French architect Jules Bourard, with red bricks brought from France; named a minor basilica in 1962.
- Restoration: under major restoration since July 2017; the exterior can be seen and photographed, but the interior is generally open only to worshippers during mass.
- Entry: free; Sunday mass with English is usually held at 9:30 am.
- Getting there: about 10 minutes’ walk from Opera House station on Metro Line 1, or a short Grab ride from anywhere in the centre.
What Is Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon?
Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, officially the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, is the main Catholic cathedral of Ho Chi Minh City, famous for its red-brick facade and two 57-metre bell towers. Locals call it Nha Tho Duc Ba (“Church of Our Lady”). It stands on Paris Commune Square, next to the Saigon Central Post Office, and has become a symbol of the city.
For Indian travellers, it is a quick and free stop on any Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing day — most visitors spend 20–30 minutes taking photos of the facade, the statue of Our Lady of Peace and the square, then walk across to the Post Office.
History of Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
The cathedral was built by the French to serve the Catholic community of colonial Saigon. The foundation stone was laid on 7 October 1877, and the cathedral was opened on Easter Sunday, 11 April 1880. The pointed spires on top of the bell towers were added in 1895.
| Year | Milestone |
| 1877 | Foundation stone laid on 7 October |
| 1880 | Cathedral completed and opened on 11 April (Easter) |
| 1895 | Spires added to the two bell towers |
| 1959 | Statue of Our Lady of Peace placed in front of the cathedral |
| 1962 | Pope John XXIII granted it the title of minor basilica |
| 2017 | Major restoration began on 1 July |
| 2026 | Two new gold-plated crosses lifted onto the spires in March |
Today, the cathedral is more than 145 years old and remains the seat of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, as well as an iconic symbol of the city’s history.
Architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Notre Dame Church in Saigon was built with materials shipped from France, including the famous red bricks from Marseille, which have kept their colour without plaster or paint for more than a century. The design mixes neo-Romanesque and Gothic styles, with rounded arches, a large rose window and tall pointed spires. Inside, the cathedral has a long nave, marble altars and colourful stained-glass windows made in France.
Bell Towers
The two bell towers rise about 57 metres, and with their crosses they reach more than 60 metres. They hold a set of historic bronze bells weighing nearly 30 tonnes in total, the largest about 8.5 tonnes. During the restoration, the main bells have been silent, and a smaller set of 25 bells imported in 2022 is used instead. In March 2026, two new gold-plated crosses, each about 3.7 metres tall and 400 kg, were lifted onto the tops of the spires.
Statue of Our Lady of Peace
In the garden in front of the cathedral stands the white granite statue of Our Lady of Peace (the Virgin Mary), installed in 1959. She holds a globe topped with a cross, and the statue has become a symbol of the hope for peace in Vietnam.
Is Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Open in 2026?
Yes, you can visit the outside of the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral in 2026, but the building is still under restoration and the interior is generally open only to worshippers during mass times.
The restoration began on 1 July 2017, led by a Belgian specialist company, to repair the roof, bell towers, brickwork and stained glass. The new gold-plated crosses were installed in March 2026, and work continues on the interior, lighting, roof tiles and paintwork. In late 2025, the parish said the original target of finishing in 2027 is unlikely to be met, and no new date has been announced. Expect to see some scaffolding and barriers when you visit.
Location and How To Get There
Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon is at 1 Cong Xa Paris, Sai Gon ward, in the centre of ho chi minh city, about 1.3 km from Ben Thanh Market. The ward was renamed from Ben Nghe ward (District 1) in the July 2025 administrative changes, so older maps may still show the old name.
- By metro: Metro Line 1 (opened in December 2024) stops at Opera House station, about a 10-minute walk away, and at Ben Thanh station, about 15 minutes away.
- By Grab or taxi: A Grab car from most central hotels takes 5–15 minutes and costs about 30,000–70,000 VND (≈ ₹110–256).
- On foot: From Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the Opera House or most hotels in the old District 1, it is a 5–15 minute walk.
- By bus: Several city buses stop near the cathedral; check routes on the BusMap app.
Opening Hours, Mass Times and Entry Fee
Entry to the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is free, and the square and exterior can be visited at any time; during the restoration, the inside is mainly open for mass.
| Day | Usual mass times |
| Monday – Saturday | 5:30 am and 5:00 pm |
| Sunday | 5:30 am, 6:45 am, 8:00 am, 9:30 am (with English), 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm |
Mass times may change during the restoration and on major feast days such as Christmas and Easter, so check with the parish office or your hotel before you go. Non-Catholic visitors are welcome to attend quietly.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit is during Ho Chi Minh City’s dry season from December to April, early in the morning (around 7–9 am) or late afternoon (around 4–6 pm), when the light on the red bricks is softest. From May to November, short afternoon downpours are common, so plan your visit for the morning. On Christmas Eve, the area around the cathedral is beautifully lit but extremely crowded.
Things To Do at and Around Notre Dame Cathedral
- Photograph the facade and the statue: The best angle is from the garden in front of the statue of Our Lady of Peace, or from the corner of Dong Khoi Street.
- Attend a mass: Join the Sunday 9:30 am mass with English to see the cathedral as a living place of worship.
- Visit the Saigon Central Post Office: Just across the square, this yellow French colonial building (1886–1891) has a vaulted hall and old maps — and you can still send a postcard home to India.
- Browse Nguyen Van Binh Book Street: Beside the Post Office, this shady street is lined with bookshops and cafes.
- Walk to the Independence Palace: About 700 metres away, it is easy to combine with the cathedral on a half-day city tour.
- See more places of worship: Visit the pink tan dinh church, the incense-filled jade emperor pagoda, and thien hau pagoda in Cho Lon.
- Spend the evening on Bui Vien: After dinner, head to bui vien walking street, about 2 km away, for music, street food and nightlife.
Travel Tips
If you want to have the best time at Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City, keep these tips in mind:
- Dress modestly — cover your shoulders and knees if you enter during mass, as you would at a temple in India.
- Do not take photos or talk loudly inside during mass.
- Carry water, a hat and sunscreen; the square has little shade at midday.
- Watch your bag and phone in crowded areas, especially on Christmas Eve.
- Combine the cathedral, Post Office, Book Street and Independence Palace into one half-day walking route.
- Ending your Vietnam trip with a beach break? Our phu quoc packages are a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City.
Want a guided Ho Chi Minh City tour that includes the cathedral, the Post Office and Indian or vegetarian meals? Share your travel dates below.
FAQs About Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Where is the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)?
It is at 1 Cong Xa Paris (Paris Commune Square), Sai Gon ward, in central Ho Chi Minh City, next to the Saigon Central Post Office.
Can you go inside the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral?
During the restoration, the interior is generally open only to worshippers during mass. You can visit and photograph the exterior and square at any time.
Is there an entry fee for Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon?
No. Visiting the cathedral square, the exterior and attending mass are all free.
When was the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral built?
Construction started in 1877 and the cathedral opened on 11 April 1880. The spires on its bell towers were added in 1895.
When will the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon finish?
No final date has been announced. The restoration began in 2017, the new crosses were installed in March 2026, and the parish has said the original 2027 target is unlikely to be met.
Restoration status, mass times and practical details in this guide were last checked in November 2026.
Our blog has introduced Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon — one of the most famous historical sites in Vietnam. Follow our tips to have a wonderful time at this landmark. To discover more interesting spots, read our guide to the places to visit in ho chi minh city, and plan your holiday with the best vietnam tour package for Indian travellers!
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