Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral: A Must-Visit Landmark
A Historical Tapestry
Spanning over 140 years, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral has witnessed the city's ups and downs. From its construction under French colonial rule to becoming the heart of Catholicism in southern Vietnam and enduring two devastating wars, the cathedral has remained steadfast, bearing the marks of time as a testament to the resilience of the Vietnamese people.
Construction began in 1863, designed by French architect J. Bourad. Built in the Gothic style, the cathedral boasts two soaring bell towers, a magnificent rose window, and a grand facade. After three years of construction, it was inaugurated in 1880. The cathedral quickly became a symbol of Catholicism in Saigon and a significant architectural landmark of the city.
Throughout its history, the cathedral has faced numerous challenges. In 1962, a bomb struck the cathedral, causing significant damage. However, thanks to the united efforts of the people of Saigon, it was quickly restored.
Today, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Architectural Marvels
Exterior Architecture
- Majestic Bell Towers: The two towering spires, inspired by Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, reach a height of 57 meters, piercing the sky.
- Stunning Rose Window: Located at the center of the facade, the rose window, composed of 1767 stained glass pieces, illuminates the cathedral with its radiant hues.
Interior Architecture
- Vibrant Stained Glass Windows: These windows depict biblical stories through a mesmerizing play of light, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere within the cathedral.
- Unique Architectural Fusion: The cathedral beautifully blends Western Roman and Gothic styles with delicate Asian influences, creating a distinct and unforgettable character.
Tips for Visitors
- Visiting hours: The cathedral is open daily from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the lighting is soft.
- Do your research: Learn about the cathedral's history and architecture beforehand to enhance your visit.
- Respect the sacred space: Maintain silence and avoid disruptive behavior.
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is more than just a building; it's a symbol of the resilience and spirit of the Vietnamese people. A visit to this iconic landmark offers a unique cultural and historical experience that you won't want to miss.
Follow more interesting news on the official fanpage of Inbound Vietnam
Discover more unique features of Ho Chi Minh tourism with Inbound Vietnam
Related tour
Departure day: 4D3N
Departure: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival: Mekong river
Regions: Southern Vietnam
Type: Classic Tours
Departure day: 8D7N
Departure: Hanoi City
Arrival: Mekong river
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Classic Tours
After your breakfast, our driver (WITH GUIDE) will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Cu Chi. (Our Cu Chi Tunnels tour will last for 5 hours: 1,5 hours driving to the tunnel – 2 hours of visiting – 1,5 driving back to city.)
Departure day: 1D0N
Departure: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival: Cu Chi
Regions: Southern Vietnam
Type: Daily Tour
Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. On arrival at My Tho, after visiting Vinh Trang pagoda. Boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.
Departure day: 1D0N
Departure: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival: Mekong river
Regions: Southern Vietnam
Type: Daily Tour
Departure day: 7D6N
Departure: Hanoi City
Arrival: Mekong river
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Classic Tours
Departure day: 10D9N
Departure: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival: Ha Long Bay
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Classic Tours
Departure day: 1D0N
Departure: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival: Ho Chi Minh City
Regions: Southern Vietnam
Type: Daily Tour
Departure day: 1D0N
Departure: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival: Ho Chi Minh City
Regions: Southern Vietnam
Type: Daily Tour,Food Tour
Departure day: 1D0N
Departure: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival: Ho Chi Minh City
Regions: Southern Vietnam
Type: Daily Tour
Departure day: 1D0N
Departure: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival: Ho Chi Minh City
Regions: Southern Vietnam
Type: Daily Tour,Food Tour
Departure day: 12D11N
Departure: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrival: Hanoi City
Regions: Northern Vietnam
Type: Luxury Tour,Classic Tours
Related posts
8 must-visit tourist attractions in Hue
8 must-visit tourist attractions in Phu Quoc in a lifetime.
Traveling experience in Nha Trang from A to Z.
Getting lost in fun at the 10 hottest team building spots near Hanoi.
7 resorts offer ideal team building activities for this summer
This summer, let's go to Cu Lao Xanh - Why not?
Hanoi - 36 Old Streets: A Travel Handbook for the Capital City
Hoan Kiem Lake - A precious destination in the heart of the capital.
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - a grand historical landmark of the capital city.
Explore the Tuan Chau tourist area in Quang Ninh province
Why is Ha Long Bay an ideal destination in Vietnam
Why is Ha Long Bay an ideal destination in Vietnam? It is not only a natural wonder but also a place where you can immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture.
Explore the pristine natural beauty of Co To Island.
Sam Son - A coastal city with many attractive tourist destinations.
Discover the pristine and mysterious beauty of the Fairy Fish Stream in Thanh Hoa.
Experience the beauty of nature in Pu Luong.
Hoi An Ancient Town - A venerable city adorned with the beauty of time
My Son Sanctuary - The century-old beauty of World Cultural Heritage
Cu Lao Cham and the fascinating experiences it offers.
Discovering Thien Mu Pagoda - the spiritual and cultural beauty in Hue.
Some facts you need to know about the Imperial City - Forbidden City.
The Great Wall is not reached by just wishing
Born in Suzhou, live in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, die in Liuzhou.
The Bund in Shanghai, both in the past and present, holds romantic memories for many travelers.
Hue Imperial City: Exploring Vietnam's Unique Cultural Heritage
Thuy Xuan Incense Village - a source of inspiration from folk culture.
Explore Phu Quoc Island - Vietnam's Pearl
The Nam Du Islands - The raw gem of the East Sea
Explore the beauty of U Minh Thuong National Park.
Touring Ban Gioc Waterfall - a masterpiece of nature in Cao Bang.
Exploring the mystical Nguom Ngao Cave
Pac Bo Historical Site - A journey to find the roots.
Vinpearl Nha Trang: An ideal destination for families.
Ninh Thuy Fishing Village - Timeless Beauty in Simplicity
Ponagar Tower - a hidden treasure trove of mysteries
Exploring the scenic complex of Trang An
Lunar New Year in Vietnam - the most important festival
Top 10 best attractions in northern Vietnam 2023
The Imperial City of Hue - always alive!
Hanoi Night Tour Best Tours to Explore the Capital City's Nightlife
Best Day Trip From Hanoi That You Can Actually Go
Top 10 handicraft villages in Hanoi: the traditional beauty of the capital
Find the best Vietnam tour packages from Singapore? We are here to help you!
Best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City in our Vietnam tour packages
Experience the best Danang tour package from Singapore with our guide
Our Danang tour package from Singapore is the perfect way to explore the best of Danang in a hassle-free and convenient way. Book your tour today and embark on a journey of a lifetime!
Yearly festivals in Vietnam
With many activities taking place such as singing and dancing, boat racing, street parades, etc., creating special features for festivals in Vietnam.
15 activities to discover Sapa for foreign tourists
Discover the Top 4 most beautiful idyllic fishing villages in Ha Long
10 Most Amazing Landscapes in Vietnam
We’ve compiled a list of the 10 most amazing landscapes in Vietnam, each of which offer truly unique photo opportunities and experiences
10 Best Beaches in Vietnam
Y Ty village - The beauty of culture makes the difference of Ha Nhi people
Phu Quoc is listed in Time magazine's top 100 best destinations
10 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam
6 interesting facts about Vietnam you didn’t know
Mu Cang Chai's on top 50 most beautiful destinations in the world
6 must do activities in Ninh Binh
Interesting experiences in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh
Discover the wild beauty of Na Hang ecological lake
The best time to visit Vietnam
Top 8 Photography Spots in Hanoi
8 Best Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City
6 Best Things To Do In Hue
Vietnamese Traditional Costumes & Dresses Origin & Uniqueness
Getting a haircut in Hanoi
6 Best Things To Do in Da Nang
All You Need Before Going To Sapa
Experience bathing with Dao Do herbal bath in Sapa
6 Vietnam Off-the-beaten-track Destinations: From North To South
Hue Citadel: Journey back in time to learn about the last dynasty of Vietnam
All You Need to Know About Currency in Vietnam
Characteristics of Vietnamese People
Motorbikes still the popular vehicle in Vietnam
Come to Ha Giang to see Nho Que River: The scenery is as beautiful as getting lost in a movie
The reason why Phu Quoc is among the top 100 best destinations of Time
Travelling to Moc Chau in the summer - Escape from the heat and escape from the epidemic
Y Ty - Cultural beauty makes the difference of Ha Nhi people
Top 3 spiritual tourist destinations in Tay Ninh must definitely go to
The beauty of Nam Cuong sand dunes near Phan Rang city
Vietnam's best outdoor activities
Top 8 must-try foods in Saigon
What to do in Hanoi so early in the morning?
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi
Steep slope on the way to Ba Den mountain
Fall in love with the beautiful bamboo forest like a swordplay movie in Mu Cang Chai
Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho, Vietnam
3 Of the best things to do in Can Tho City
Best Nightlife In Hanoi - Top 6 Things to Do
Shopping In Hanoi: 6 Ideal Places
Top 6 Nightlife Experiences in Ho Chi Minh
5 Best Nightlife in Hue - Most Popular Nightlife Spots
Top recreational activities in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
See the silent ancient capital of Hue during the epidemic time
Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh Golf Courses - Vietnam
Bình Hưng Island, Khanh Hoa
Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City
Garlic Kingdom Ly Son, Quang Ngai
6 Best Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
Non La - Vietnamese's Famous Conical Hat
Top 5 Best Destinations for Vietnam Honeymoon Packages
Da Nang's Golden Bridge
Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc - The paradise of semi-wild animals for the first time in Vietnam
Phu Quoc shows its determination to control the pandemic and welcome international tourists
Amazing thing to do in Con Dao Island
Inbound Vietnam Travel strives to build a safe tourism image in Vietnam
Quang Nam develops tourism with a set of green tourism criteria
Vietnam is 'Asia's Best River Cruise Destination'
Light up Hoi An to welcome the New Year
Khanh Hoa welcomes more than 300 Russian tourists with vaccine passports
Stuttgarter Nachrichten Newspaper: 5 reasons to travel to Vietnam
Membership Benefits on Vietnam Airlines
5 Must-Visit Destinations in Vietnam
Da Lat a Wonderful Land!
Explore Ha Long Bay Trip with Ha Long cruise
Experience the pure air of Tan Uyen tea hill
Saigon Broken Rice: A Flavorful and Authentic Vietnamese Dish
Experiencing the peaceful life in Si Thau Chai Village
Nam Vang Noodle Soup: A Vietnamese Culinary Delight
Sin Ho Plateau: Your next adventure awaits in the heart of Northwest Vietnam
Saigon Rice Paper Rolls: A Street Food Sensation
Visiting the Independence Palace: A Journey Through History
The Independence Palace symbolizes Vietnam's victory, peace, and territorial integrity.
Cu Chi Tunnels: A Testament to Vietnam's Heroic Past
Saigon's Mixed Rice Paper Salad: A Street Food Sensation
Crispy Rice with Shredded Pork: A Simple Yet Irresistible Vietnamese Snack
Grilled Coconut Cake: A Delightful Saigon Snack
Tam Coc - Bich Dong: Exploring Majestic and Romantic Beauty
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital - An Attractive Tourist Destination in Ninh Binh
Explore Ninh Kieu Wharf, the cultural heart of the Western Delta
Cat Ba Island - An Ideal Vacation Paradise
Truc Lam Pagoda in Can Tho: A renowned pilgrimage site
Visiting the sacred Munir Ansay Pagoda in the heart of Can Tho
Do Son Beach: A Delightful Seaside Getaway in the City of Flowers
Bach Long Vi Island - A Painted Paradise in Hai Phong
Chua Kho Temple - A Sacred Shrine in Bac Ninh
Phu Lang Pottery Village - A Traditional Treasure in Bac Ninh
Phu Lang Pottery Village - A captivating tourist destination in Bac Ninh for those who love Vietnamese culture and traditions.
Phat Tich Pagoda - An Ancient Temple in the Heart of Bac Ninh
Phat Tich Pagoda is a famous spiritual destination in Bac Ninh city with unique architecture and a long history.