Notre Dame Cathedral

Exploring Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral has never been easier with Deluxe Group Tours. All detailed information about Notre Dame Cathedral, from transportation options to nearby dining choices, is revealed through Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral: An Optimal Travel Guide.

About Notre Dame Cathedral

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, often called Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of our Lady, is the second church constructed by the French on the bank of the Charner Canal (Kinh Lớn) of Saigon in the early days of its colonization. This area is now the Paris Commune Square, the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

The first church was established on No.5 Street (now Ngo Duc Ke Street, District 1), originally a Vietnamese pagoda. Due to war and the invasion of foreign troops, the Vietnamese fled, and Catholic priest Lefebvre transformed this pagoda into a church. Because the first church was too small, the French built the second one, Notre Dame Cathedral.

The Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral was built on October 7, 1877. The cathedral was constructed by Bishop Isodore Comlombert, combining Roman and Gothic architectural styles, with a length of 91 meters, a width of 35.5 meters, and a main roof vault height of 21 meters. The two bell towers on either side are nearly 57 meters tall. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral was designed by the architect J. Bourard. The exterior space of the cathedral is spacious and airy, while the interior is dignified and venerable, which creates a unique space.

Nowadays, Notre Dame Cathedral is the city’s largest Catholic center and also a top Ho Chi Minh City tourist attraction, drawing numerous people for sightseeing, ceremonies, and prayers.

Especially the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City was honored by the South China Morning Post in its list of the top 10 most magnificent and prominent cathedrals in Asia.

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral architecture highlights

The architecture of the cathedral was designed by the architect J. Bourard, incorporating a blend of Gothic and Roman architectural styles, featuring many captivating highlights.

1. Inside the Notre Dame Cathedral

The cathedral is the church’s core portion and the broadest construction and can accommodate up to 10 times the total interior architecture, with a capacity of over 1,200. The cathedral hall is 93 meters long and 35 meters wide, and the vaulted roof is about 21 meters high, which includes the main nave, two side aisles, and two rows of chapels on each side.

The altar area stands out and draws your gaze with its grandeur. Crafted from sturdy marble, the altars command considerable size. Furthermore, intricate carvings adorn the materials, complemented by 56 stained glass panels of diverse hues, intricately assembled to create a distinctive architectural unity. Upon closer inspection, one can discern that the lines, edges, and motifs within the altar area exude the solemn and refined traits characteristic of Roman and Gothic architectural traditions.

The bell towers stand out as an impressive feature of Notre Dame Cathedral. Construction on these towers commenced almost 15 years after the cathedral’s completion, wrapping up in 1895. Following architect Gardes’ design, the bell towers soar to a height of 57 meters, crowned by a 21-meter vaulted roof. Currently, both towers house a set of six bells, each meticulously crafted and refurbished by skilled French artisans.

2.Outside the Notre Dame Cathedral

The overall architecture of Notre-Dame Cathedral is constructed using red bricks, with the standout feature being the gigantic stained glass windows that bring in multicolored light. Another remarkable aspect of the structure is its exterior surface, built with ceiling tiles and green stones, preserving the vibrant red brick color and keeping it free from moss and mold.

The park in front of the cathedral, intersected by four roads forming a cross shape, exudes a distinct Catholic ambiance. Additionally, the white stone statue of the Virgin Mary situated right at the heart of the park, a piece brought from Rome to Saigon in 1959, further enhances the allure of this structure both internally and externally. Occasionally, city residents also witness the statue shedding tears, with the most recent occurrence being in 2005.

Notre Dame Cathedral Opening Hours

If you want to check in at Notre Dame Cathedral, you can visit at any time, including in the evenings when the area remains full of people. This will ensure that you can come and visit it at any hour that suits you. But to attend for the sake of joining a mass, you must come to the cathedral at the time and date indicated on the mass schedules.

The mass schedule at Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is as follows:

• Monday to Saturday: 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• On Sundays, there are a total of 7 Masses: 5:30 a.m., 6:45 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. (English Mass), 4:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.

How to get to Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

– By bus: Located in the heart of Saigon, Notre-Dame Cathedral is easily accessible by many bus routes passing through the cathedral. You can take one of these buses and ask the driver to drop you off near the cathedral (either at the 1 Paris Commune Stop or the 86 Nguyen Du Stop, then walk a short distance).

• Bus Route D1: 23/9 Park – Botanical Garden
• Route 36: Ben Thanh Market – Thoi An
• Route 120: 23/9 Park – 23/9 Park
• Route 03: 23/9 Park – Thanh Loc
• Route 19: Ben Thanh Market – National University Area
• Route 45: District 8 – Ben Thanh Market – Eastern Bus Station

Additionally, you can travel here using any convenient means of transportation for you. Whether it’s a motorbike, car, or taxi, all are viable options. Just follow the map to the address: 01 Cong Xa Paris.

What to eat near Notre Dame Cathedral

Near Notre Dame Cathedral, there’s an alleyway known as a street food haven, namely Alley 84 Nguyen Du, offering incredibly delicious snacks at very affordable prices. These food stalls operate from 10:00 AM until they sell out, usually around 3:00 PM when some stalls have finished selling and start cleaning up.

• Crab soup: Located right next to Notre Dame Cathedral, this over-20-year-old crab soup stand is fondly referred to by customers as “Cathedral Crab Soup.” The crab soup is neither too watery nor too thick, boasting a rich and fragrant flavor while maintaining the perfect temperature for enjoyment. All these factors make anyone who has dined here once eager to come back and try this affordable dish again.
• Vietnamese mini pancake: Although there’s only one type, which is quail egg mini pancake, they’re freshly poured on the spot using a charcoal stove. This ensures that you not only taste but also feel the irresistible crispiness and warmth. This mini pancake is dipped in a sweet and sour fish sauce, accompanied by aromatic scallion oil generously spread on top.
• Fish cake bread soup: The fish cake bread soup in the Notre Dame Cathedral area is enticing due to the sweet and savory flavor of the broth made from the fish. Each bowl of fish cake bread soup consists of fried fish cakes, shredded chicken, and quail eggs. The round, thick rice noodle strands have a deliciously chewy texture. The broth of this dish captures the natural flavors of its ingredients perfectly. The most enticing part is the fried sea fish cake, with its crispy golden exterior and characteristic chewiness and sweetness.

Moreover, if you’re keen on experiencing authentic Saigon street food, the Saigon Street Food Tour will help you explore and tantalize your taste buds with the top original street foods of Saigon.

Essential Tips for Visiting Notre Dame Cathedral

• Even though there’s no admission fee to enter the cathedral, you’ll have to fork out for parking (about 20,000 VND) if you’re driving your vehicle.
• If you’re moving around on a motorbike, you’ve got options for parking: there’s space available at the Diamond Plaza parking lot (on 34 Le Duan), the lot on Hai Ba Trung Street, the one near the City Post Office, also the Thong Nhat Conference Hall’s lot, or close to the Youth Cultural House.
• And if you’re rolling in by car, you can find spots at the Nam Ky Khoi Nghia parking lot, the Opera House’s lot over at Lam Son Square, or right by Diamond Plaza’s parking area.

Recommend nearby attraction

Independence Palace: It’s a name that captivates, not just because of its dynamic and modern beauty but also because of the cultural and historical significance it holds. Explore its unique architecture, witness solemn ceremonies, and discover many enticing activities awaiting your exploration.

Turtle Lake (International Square): It’s a renowned and distinctive recreational spot right in the heart of Saigon. Listen to the mysterious legends of old Saigon and capture stunning photos amidst the unique, modern, and yet dreamy architecture.

Saigon Central Post Office: Standing gracefully amidst the bustling city, this post office boasts stunning beauty and earned the honorable second spot on Architectural Digest’s list of the 11 most beautiful post offices in the world. Explore its architecture and also shop for stamps and souvenirs right at the post office. Moreover, you’ll get to witness the operations of the post office in action.