The construction of the cathedral took three years. This French-built cathedral occupies scenic Paris Square in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City at 1 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1, Notre Dame Cathedral. The total cost was 2,500,000 French francs (nominal price of the mid to late 19th century). The bells are electrically controlled from below. Themain Sunday Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral Saigonis at 9:30 AM. It seems that she is praying for Vietnam and for the world to be peaceful. Established by French colonists who initially named it the Church of Saigon (French: l'Eglise de Sagon), the cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. Seeing this view is worth your while, definitely. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". However, the top clergy of the Catholic Church in Vietnam could not confirm that the Virgin Mary statue in front of a cathedral had shed tears, but that failed to disperse the crowd flocking to the statue days after the incident. Thousands of local Vietnamese Catholics and tourists swarmed the statue, prompting police intervention to maintain order as well as direct traffic to avoid the severe jams caused by the hordes of visitors. The cathedral foundation was designed to bear ten times the weight of the cathedral. 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We cant find a country that matches your search. The Notre Dame Cathedral has two bell towers consisting of 6 bells engraved with sophisticated patterns corresponding to 6 sounds. It was manufactured in 1887 and has 1 ton in weight. What are the nearest attractions to Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral (Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Sagon)? These bells were made in Switzerland in 1887, and have a unique hammer alarm system that hits the church bells. The church became the cathedral of the archbishop of Saigon to this day. The Catholic Church of Vietnam ultimately refuted the miracle, but dozens of tourists and locals still visit the statue in the hopes of witnessing another miracle.. In 1960 it earned the official title of Saigon Chief Cathedral, and two years later was anointed by Pope John XXIII, gaining basilica status and earning its current title of Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. All construction materials for the church such as cement, steel, tile, stained glass, bells, etc. It was constructed between 1863 and 1880 by the French, and reaches a height of up to 60 meters. The statue was the site of a miracle in 2005 after visitors claimed to have witnessed the statue shedding a single tear. The reported "tear" flowed down the right cheek of the face of the statue. In the beginning, the Church was called the State Church, because all the construction funding was provided by the French State, with an amount of up to 2,500,000 francs at that time. The neo-Romanesque structure serves as an active place of worship for Vietnams 6 million Catholics. According to some fervent witnesses, the statue of the Virgin Mary, located just outside the cathedral, began to cry. Remember to dress respectfully, as this is an active place of worship. Winner will be selected at random on 08/01/2022. If you have a chance to take a look inside, then remember to enter the sided gate, which is open every day while the main gate opens only during Sunday Mass. The Basilica is currently undergoing a massive renovation project that began in August 2017 and is expected to last until June 2020. On December 5, 1959, the Holy See allowed to hold anointment ceremony, conferring the Saigon Cathedral to the basilica. While this incident was refuted by the Catholic Church of Vietnam, thousands of visitors still flock to this statue in hopes of witnessing a miracle. It is one of the oldest religious architectural works in Saigon. In 1962, he anointed the Saigon Chief Cathedral and conferred the status of a basilica. On 11th April 1880, a blessing ceremony and inauguration ceremony of Saigon Cathedral was solemnly celebrated by Bishop Colombert with the participation of Cochinchina Governor Charles Le Myre de Vilers. The crosses were equipped on the top of each tower. The stain remained for over a week, and hundreds of people came to see it from across the country each day. The campus in front of the Saigon Notre Dame Basilica is designed with four intersecting roads that form the typical Catholic cross. Located in Paris Square, the name Notre Dame was given after the installation of the statue Peaceful Notre Dame in 1959. Saigon Church was a simple wooden construction with a bad case of termites, which caused so much damage it had to be rebuilt. Some tiles are carved with the words Wang-Tai Saigon. Aside from its status as one of Ho Chi Minh Citys most prominent attractions, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral still serves as a religious institution for the local population. It is currently undergoing a massive renovation project that began in August 2017 and is expected to last until June 2020. The cathedral is undergoing a major renovation and is closed to tourists (with the exception of Sunday Mass) until its expected completion in 2020. Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is located in the downtown of Ho Chi Minh City. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. You can even hear the bells from 10km away. In 1960, Pope John XXIII erected Roman Catholic dioceses in Vietnam and the cathedral was named Saigon Chief Cathedral. After the statue ceremony, Saigon Church became more commonly known as Notre-Dame Cathedral. Although the building was demolished in 2016, Thuong Xa Tax merits every mention when one talks of Saigon. It has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190feet). Built between 1863 and 1880 by French colonists, the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is the most impressive cathedral in Vietnam. Although the contractor did not use coated concrete, these bricks have retained their bright red colour. The cathedral displays distinct neo-Romanesque features, such as the two giant bell towers (holding six bronze bells), ornate stained glass windows, and a red brick facade that fascinated locals during its construction. Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is designed and built with a strong capacity for endurance which can withstand 10 times the load of the current church architecture. Save your favorites. See. From this time, this cathedral was called Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. (The Sunday Mass at 9.30 AM is in English). After wandering and taking nice photographs with the Notre Dame Cathedral, you can enjoy the city centers atmosphere around with a variety of premium coffee shops to local sidewalk coffee vendors. Nha Tho Duc Ba Sai Gon which is known as Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon has an official name as Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica in English and Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Sagon in French. Most of the materials used in the cathedrals construction had been shipped over from France, including bricks from Toulouse that gave the cathedral its distinct red color, as still seen today. Many tiles have since been made in Saigon to replace the tiles that were damaged by the war. Address : 5th Floor, HTK Building, 92-98 Nguyen Van Cu, Long Bien, Hanoi, Vietnam. The cathedral is open for cultural visits Monday to Saturday in the morning and afternoon. The Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica (Nh Th Chnh Ta c B Si Gn) has become an architectural and religious icon in the bustling southern city. In the meantime, tourists are still welcome to visit the Basilicas grounds in the heart of District 1 and is just across the street from the Saigon Central Post Office. Overall height from the ground to the top of the crucifix is 60.50m. From this time, this cathedral was called Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. Modeled on Notre-Dame de Paris and built with materials shipped over from France, the cathedral is the religious center for Vietnams 6.2 million Catholics. Learn more about the citys war history on a guided tour with these options. o The Independence Palace Please have a look at this schedule, hopefully you will choose the mass frame that match your itinerary The construction work of this Basilica began in 1877 and lasted for three years under the supervision of J. Bourad, who was the designer of this building. The outer wall of the cathedral was built with red bricks made in Marseille. At the present site where the cathedral is situated. The crosses were installed on the top of each tower of 3.5 m high, 2 m wide, 600kg in weight. Originally, there were three proposed sites for construction: All building materials were imported from France. However, it has been severely damaged and can no longer be used and has been replaced by an electronic pipe organ produced by Rodgers. It was conferred a Basilica by the Vatican in 1959 and still serves as a religious institution to Catholics in Ho Chi Minh City. The construction was completed two years later and was called "Saigon Church". Get exclusive access to members only deals by email. For tourists wanting to attend service at the church, the best day to attend is Sunday. Entrance fee: free - except for parking tickets outside the cathedral. However, the cathedral is under is undergoing large-scale renovation, the renovation is expected to last for 3 years (6/2017 end 2020). The church is mostly made of imported materials from French such as cement, stained glasses, red bricks. Find tickets & tours worldwide. Most private and group city sightseeing tours, including a fun cyclo option, stop at the cathedral, as well as the nearby Reunification Palace and the sobering War Remnants Museum. In 1962, Pope John XXIII anointed the Saigon Chief Cathedral, and conferred it the status of a basilica. However, due to the wooden construction, the church was soon destroyed by termites. Following the French conquest of Cochinchina and Saigon, the Roman Catholic Church established a community and religious services for French colonialists. o If you have time, please pass by Diamond Plaza, 30/4 Park and sip a cup of coffee while view the local life and enjoy peaceful moment. By submitting this form, I agree to having my personal and contact information processed and used for the purpose of marketing communications. In 1895, two bell towers were added to the cathedral, each 57.6 m high with six bronze bells with the total weight of 28.85 metric tonnes. If you are taking a bus, bus numbers 04, 120, 18, 30, 31, 36, 93 can help you. You can also get there by bus. The most special thing about this church is that it has a diverse system of stained-glass windows depicting Saints and stories in the Bible. On the site of the former test school (today, this is at the corner of Le Duan Boulevard and Hai Ba Trung Street). Address :5th Floor, HTK Building, 98 Nguyen Van Cu, Long Bien, Hanoi, Vietnam. With two days in Ho Chi Minh City, you can check off the citys signature sights, take a street-food tour, and explore the wartime tunnel network at Cu Chi, but youll also have time to get out into the countryside and discover life on the water aboard a Mekong Delta cruise. The mighty Mekong is Southeast Asias longest river and cruising around the canals, waterways, and floating markets of the Mekong Deltaoften called the rice bowl of Vietnamoffers a startling contrast to the busy urban center of Ho Chi Minh City. At the center of the square is a statue of Our Lady of Peace (or Queen of Peace), which was made by the sculptor G. Ciocchetti in 1959. 1 Cong Truong Cong xa Paris St, District 1. Dont use flashlight inside Cathedral. At the beginning, the cathedral was called State Cathedral due to the source of the construction funds. In 1945, the statue was removed, but the foundation remains. Compare quotes from upto 3 travel agents for free, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City: What to Pick When Travelling to Vietnam, Shopping In Ho Chi Minh City: Everything You Need To Know, 7 Cheap Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City To Make the Most of Your Trip, 13 Ho Chi Minh City Facts to Know Vietnam's Cosmopolitan Capital. In 1959, Bishop Joseph Pham Van Thien ordered a statue of Our Lady of Peace in Rome. Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City - Top Markets, Malls and Things to Buy in the City! On holidays and Sundays, the church usually gives three rings. The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica gained international attention in October 2005, when a few visitors claimed to see a single tear slide down the right cheek of the statue of the Virgin Mary standing outside. Hotline: (+84) 938 988 774 Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, also known as Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica or Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception is situated in No. There is a big clock between the two bell towers. Quickly access bookings. From that point, the church was called Notre-Dame Cathedral. The cathedral looks most beautiful in daylight, together with the smiles of couples coming to take photograph and record movies, especially for wedding. In 1895, the church built two more bell towers, each tower was 57.6 m high and had 6 large copper bells. Measuring almost 60 metres in height, the cathedrals distinctive neo-Romanesque features include the all-red brick faade (which were imported from Marseille), stained glass windows, two bell towers containing six bronze bells that still ring to this day, and a peaceful garden setting in the middle of downtown Ho Chi Minh City District 1. 1 Cong truong Cong xa Paris St., right at the intersection of Pham Ngoc Thach St, Le Duan St and Cong xa Paris St. Its design, apart from the intention to create a religious look, aims at showing the influence of French civilization and Christianity over Saigon. There are 56 glass squares supplied by the Lorin firm of Chartres, the French town famous for the 13th century stained-glass windows of its cathedral. The most famous religious landmark in the city, the Notre Dame Cathedral was constructed by French colonists between 1863 and 1880. The Vietnam Waror the American War as it was known in Vietnamremains one of the most significant events in Vietnamese history, and the region surrounding Ho Chi Minh City sat at the heart of the conflict. A statue of Virgin Mary stands tall in front of the church. Opening hours: 8 AM to 11 AM and 2 PM to 4 PM daily. The statue was made in France. Many tourists visiting Notre Dame Cathedral would like to attend the mass, but do not know the exact mass schedule of the Notre Dame. Inside Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. Monday Saturday: 08.00 AM 11.00 AM Address: 1 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It was on Christmas Eve only to ring all six bells. Outside the main building lies a small garden that has the statue of Mary - Queen of Peace. Thus, in 1863, Admiral Bonard decided to build a wooden church on the bank of Charner canal (Kinh Ln). Artifacts and memories from the Vietnam war, located in a place that experienced it first hand. Thus, in preparation for a new solid church on the growing land, in August 1876, the Governor of Cochinchina Victor Auguste Duperr organized a competition to select designs for the new church. After two years, the building was completed and called Saigon Church. One can see the granite plate inside the main entry gate commemorating the start and completion dates and designer. The operator whose product is featured here may pay Viator more. There are few tourist attractions as iconic as the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica in Ho Chi Minh City. The statue was carved in Italy and transported to Saigon by sea in 1959. The front of the church turns to the Southeast, towards Nguyen Du Street, the back heads to the current Le Duan Street. Since it is located right next to the Saigon Central Post Office, it is recommended that you visit these two attractions and the nearby Independence Palace at the same time. Bishop Isidore Colombert laid the first stone in October 1877, and the completion ceremony was held in April 1880. The stunning interior features high, domed ceilings framed with dark brown arches that crisscross over the ceiling and extend down to column the hallway. All Rights Reserved. In 1959, Bishop Joseph Pham Van Thien, whose jurisdiction included Saigon parish, attended the Marian Congress held in Vatican and ordered a statue of Our Lady of Peace made with granite in Rome. The tour guide, Felix Aka Duc, is quite enthusiastic and knows HCM and its history quite well. Elegant white trim adorns the columns while curved stained glass windows filter sunlight onto central portraits of Jesus Christ at the altar. The Ladys eyes are staring at the sky. However, mass is also held at5:30 AM, 6:45 AM,8:00 AM, 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM, and 6:30 PMon Sunday. The Catholic Church in Vietnam, however, could not confirm that the statue of the Virgin Mary had indeed shed any tears. Weekday Mass: at 05.30 AM and 5.30 PM. In 1895, the French-built two bell towers to the cathedral, each 57.6 high. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. The cathedral was titled Saigon Chief Cathedral. The outside of the buildings, for instance, was built totally of red bricks from Marseille without plastered or cemented. Each of them is 3.5 m high, 2 m wide, and 600 kg in weight. It will take 20 minutes from the center of Ho Chi Minh city via Cong Hoa Street. It is a beautiful place to enjoy a quiet and peaceful walk. A design competition was held, which was won by French architect Jules Bourard, an expert in religious architecture. Its beauty is magnified by the required silence inside the Basilica and truly takes your breath away. However, you should show respect to the holy place by dressing conservatively and dont take photos inside the hall. Monday Saturday: 14.00 PM 16.00 PM His plan was about as French as it gets: to build a smaller version of Notre-Dame de Paris, mirroring the famous cathedrals form in the Romanesque and French Gothic style. The cathedrals address is No. Please note that the church is undergoing a major restoration and entries outside of mass times are not allowed. If you want to visit Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, you can go there by car, taxi or bus. Based on our booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, this experience is likely to sell out through Viator. Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica was constructed from 1863-1880 during the French colonial occupation of Vietnam. The locals often feed the doves landing around the area, which attracts many of them to come in every day. This French colonial post office is arguably the grandest in all of Southeast Asia. While this incident was refuted by the Catholic Church of Vietnam, thousands of visitors still flock to this statue in hopes of witnessing a miracle. The width of the widest place is 35 m. The height of the cathedral dome is 21 m. The churchs capacity can reach up to 1,200 people. Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 - 17:00 He has good driving and communication skills. The Basilica is closed to tourists during this time but remains a site of worship for Vietnamese Catholics every Sunday where a mass is held at 9:30 a.m. in both Vietnamese and English. The church is closed to tourists during this time but remains a site of worship for Vietnamese Catholics every Sunday where a mass is held at 09.30 AM in both Vietnamese and English. The outside wall of the cathedral was built with bricks from Toulouse. This historic spot was where America's involvement in the Vietnam War officially came to an end. Father Dominique Lefbvre put the first stone for the construction of this church, then named it as Saigon Cathedral. The next day, Cardinal Agagianian came from Rome to chair the closing ceremony of the Marian Congress and solemnly chaired the ceremony for the statue. The name Notre-Dame Cathedral has been used since 1959. In 1958, the governor of the Saigon at that time, Father Joseph Pham Van Thien, ordered a statue of the Mother of Peace on white marble. Here is a list of fun things to do in Ho Chi Minh City for FREE! All the original building materials were imported from France. Vietnam Dong, Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam - Vietcombank. The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is one of the citys most loved and important landmarks. On 6 February 1959, he held a ceremony to install the statue on an empty base. Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica (Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception) in Ho Chi Minh City, High, domed ceilings and columns inside Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, Our Lady of Peace statue outside Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, Aerial view of Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon has gone by various names over the years. Every Sunday, 9.30 AM Mass is in English. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The statue is 4.6 m high, 8 tons in weight, made by Italian white granite. From the Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon, you can visit other attractions nearby: After the design competition, bids were accepted for construction. Amidst an active and continuously moving Saigon today, the French-influenced design of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral still acts as a stop for people who seek for old beauties and calmness. There are no comments. Architect J.Bourad was chosen with a modified Roman architecture project combining with Gothic characters. In addition, it is one of the few churches in Vietnam that has a real pipe organ, which is deemed the king of instruments. Built in 1744, Giac Lam Pagoda is one of the oldest pagodas in Ho Chi Minh city. It is one block northeast of the Reunification Palace. In 1959, a statue of Our Lady of Peace was installed outside the church, made with granite in Rome. Add your comment to start the conversation. All rights reserved. The costly endeavor is being funded by philanthropists and church-goers and it includes a new tile roof, a reinforced foundation, repairing the bell system, replacing broken sheets of stained glass, replacing damaged bricks, and other general maintenance. Apparently, a tear streaked down her right cheek, staining her granite countenance and causing thousands of people to flock to the cathedral to see this unconfirmed miracle. The inauguration mass of the cathedral took place on April 11, 1880. This statue, which is made from marble, was completed by the Italian Sculptor G. Ciocchetti in 1959. Updated at: 7/12/2022 12:01:39 PM. A charmingly unusual prefabricated metal church designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. The church hosts a flock of new tourists every day who come to marvel at its colonial grandeur, while locals busily set up makeshift stations to sell local crafts and treats to passersby. Ask any local people about the location of the citys center or its symbol, the answer would definitely be Ben Thanh Market or Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral (officially Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception). The Notre Dame Cathedral is currently undergoing large scale renovation, because of which tourists are restricted entry at certain hours, particularly during mass timings. The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers questions. o Ho Chi Minhs book street During October 2005, the statue was reported to have shed tears, attracting thousands of people and forcing authorities to stop traffic around the cathedral. The history of this cathedral starts from the conquest of French in the late 19th century. Bishop Lefevre decided to built a church. While visiting the War Remnants Museum gives you a theoretical glimpse of the Vietnam War, wandering around a small area of Cu Chi Tunnels, a popular tourist attraction in Vietnam, allows you to have real-life experiences. The construction was started on March 28th, 1863. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The Reminiscent of An Ancient Charming Saigon, Hanoi Essence Hotel + Signature Cruise 5D4N, Hanoi Sofitel Metropole + Paradise Elegance Cruise 4D3N, Vinpearl Phu Quoc Getaway 5D4N - departing from Singapore, Danang Premier Village Resort + Return Flight 3D2N - from Hanoi/HCMC, Aphrodite Cruise Halong Bay & Church Boutique Hotel 4D3N-departing from HCMC, Copyright 2022 VietnamOnline.com, All rights reserved. And he also won the bid to build this historic building. This statue was in front of the church. It began life in 1863 as Saigon Church, built by French colonists shortly after France conquered and began to colonize Saigon. 2. The bricks were imported from Marseilles and were incredibly unique during that time period. o Peoples Committee Building The best time to visit is during Sunday mass at 09:30. At this time, the height of the building, from root to top is 60.5 meters. On Easter Day, 11 April 1880, a blessing ceremony and ceremony of completion were solemnly organized in presence of the Governor of Cochinchina Charles Le Myre de Vilers. No entrance fee is required to visit this place but we recommend booking Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Not only followers keep praying under candle lights in front of Virgin Mary statue everyday but tourists and local people also come there to discover the true soul of the city. This first church quickly became small with an increasing number of believers. On this nine-day journey, well explore Vietnam through its unique cuisine, tasting our way across north, central, and south Vietnam by way of steaming pork belly meatballs in Hanois Old Quarter and the white rose dumplings of Hoi An. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the late 1880s by French colonists, is one of the few remaining strongholds of Catholicism in the largely Buddhist Vietnam. Keeping in mind the sensitivities of the local community, one should dress modestly and maintain decorum within the cathedral premises. At the time it was built, the Basilica was the most beautiful cathedral of this kind amongst all French colonies. While currently closed to tourists, it does still hold a mass every Sunday, in both Vietnamese and English, at 9:30 a.m. Or, you can just take a look at the cathedral's impressive architecture from the surrounding grounds. Thank you very much for your question. To peoples amazement, the two bell towers, each with the height of 60.5m and 6 bronze bells have just been added in 1895. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. The construction was done fairly quickly, nearly 3 years. At the end of the ceremony of the National Congregation of the Holy Mother, Cardinal Aganianian from Rome blessed the statue in the afternoon of 17th February 1959. We value your privacy. The status is holding the globe with a cross attached. The total height of the cathedral to the top of the Cross is 60.5 m. In the flower garden in front of the cathedral, there was a bronze statue of Pigneau de Behaine (also called Bishop of Adran) leading Prince Cnh, the son of Emperor Gia Long by his right hand. Please dress appropriately and avoid disturbing the worshipers when visiting. Interiors of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City, Virgin Mary Statue in Front of Notre Dame Cathedral Ho Chi Minh City, Notre Dame Cathedral Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam, Structure of the Notre Dame Cathderal Ho Chi Minh City, View All Places To Visit In Ho Chi Minh City. In 1960, Pope John XXIII erected Roman Catholic dioceses in Vietnam and assigned archbishops to Hanoi, Hu and Saigon. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the late 1880s by French colonists, is one of the few remaining strongholds of Catholicism in the largely Buddhist Vietnam. Here is a quick guide to one of the citys most popular tourist attractions. This experience is showcased by Viator and has met our quality standards. The cathedral features Romanesque architectural features, with a distinct red-brick aspect, stained glass windows and twin bell towers measuring 58 metres. A Virgin Mary statue also stands in front of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, which locals claimed to have shed tears in October 2005.