Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica: Ho Chi Minh City's French Gothic Landmark
The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica stands as one of Ho Chi Minh City's most recognizable landmarks—a 140-year-old structure of imported French brick, towering bell towers, and the iconic statue of Our Lady of Peace. Here's what you need to know about visiting.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon occupies a distinct place in Ho Chi Minh City's skyline. Officially the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, it's been a Catholic pilgrimage site since its completion in 1880 and remains one of Vietnam's most visited historical structures.
A Quick History
The cathedral you see today is the third church on this site. The first wooden structure, built in 1863 on the Charner canal (now Nguyen Hue Boulevard), was destroyed by termites. A second modest building followed before French colonial administrators decided the city needed something grander.
Construction of the current cathedral began on October 7, 1877, under architect J. Bourard. All materials came directly from France—the distinctive red bricks shipped from Toulouse, the interior tiles from Marseille and Chartres. The blessing took place on Easter Day, April 11, 1880, in the presence of Charles Le Myre de Vilers, Governor of Cochinchina. Cost: 2.5 million French francs, making it one of the era's most expensive building projects in Indochina.
The Twin Towers and What's Inside
What catches your eye first are the twin bell towers, added in 1895. Each stands 57.6 meters high and holds six bronze bells weighing 28.85 metric tonnes combined. Iron crosses (3.5 meters tall, 600 kg) crown each tower, pushing the total height to 60.5 meters—visible from much of District 1.
Inside, the cathedral holds 56 stained-glass squares commissioned from the Lorin firm of Chartres, the same house that supplied windows to Chartres Cathedral itself. The floor plan is neo-Gothic: a central nave with ribbed vaults, clerestory windows, and a series of side chapels. The foundation was deliberately over-engineered to support ten times the actual weight of the building—a decision that has kept the structure intact through decades of Vietnam's humidity and heat.
Image by Diego Delso via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
The Statue of Our Lady of Peace
In 1959, the cathedral was renamed Notre-Dame and a new statue was installed in the forecourt. Bishop Joseph Pham Van Thien, who had attended a Marian Congress in Rome, commissioned a granite "Statue of Our Lady of Peace" from Italian sculptors. The statue arrived on February 16, 1959, and was formally dedicated with the title "Regina Pacis."
The statue became a focal point for pilgrimage. In October 2005, reports circulated that the statue had shed tears—a phenomenon that drew thousands of visitors to the cathedral over several days. While Catholic leadership could not confirm the claim, crowds continued to gather. The reported tear was observed flowing down the statue's right cheek.
Image by Ekrem Canli via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Visiting Today
The cathedral stands at the corner of Le Duan Boulevard and Dong Du Street, in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City's French Quarter. It remains an active parish church and is open to visitors outside of service hours. Mass is held daily, with services in Vietnamese and English.
As of 2026, the basilica is undergoing renovation work. Before visiting, check locally for any access restrictions or service times. The exterior is photogenic year-round, and the interior—cool, dimly lit, with the scent of incense—offers a quiet refuge from the street noise outside.
The cathedral is free to enter. Modest dress is appreciated (shoulders and knees covered). If you're interested in French colonial architecture or religious history, allow 30–45 minutes to walk around and sit in a pew.
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