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If you're looking for a tourist destination that offers historical, cultural, architectural, and religious value, then Notre Dame Cathedral Ho Chi Minh City is an excellent choice. Join BDATrip in exploring this fascinating location!
Commenced in 1877 and completed in 1880, this construction was designed and supervised by architect J.Bourad. April 11, 1880, marked a significant event: the consecration and inauguration of the cathedral in District 1, organized by priest Colombert with the presence of the Governor of Cochinchina, Le Myre de Vilers. All construction and decoration costs - totaling up to 2.5 million French francs - were covered by the government of Cochinchina. Initially, the building was called the State Church. Its official name, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception, was designated as a Basilica in 1962.
Decades later, the cathedral still maintains its original classical architectural beauty. It is a significant place for the ordination of bishops, welcoming delegations from the Holy See in Rome and is where thousands of priests have been ordained.
The Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral commonly known as Notre Dame Cathedral, officially called the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception, is located at Paris Commune Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. This site is not only a sacred place but also a prominent symbol of Saigon, attracting thousands of tourists from around the world.
The cathedral stands out with a total length of 91m, a width of 35.5m, a main dome height of 21m, and two nearly 57m high bell towers, all reflecting the classic French architectural style. Notre Dame Cathedral Ho Chi Minh City is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a sacred space, expanding from the outside to the inside of the sanctuary. It is a must-visit destination for any tourist visiting the city named after Uncle Ho.
The sanctuary inside Notre Dame Cathedral is 93m long, 35m wide, and 21m high. It has 5 aisles, with the middle aisle being the widest, two narrower side aisles, and two small outer aisles, accommodating about 1200 people. The sanctuary walls are adorned with 14 hand-embroidered paintings depicting the Passion of Jesus Christ.
The highlight of the sanctuary is the main altar, made of precious wood, carved with images of saints and religious symbols. The altar is placed on a three-step pedestal, behind which is a meticulously decorated wall, creating a mystical and solemn atmosphere for the altar area. This wall is often used as a backdrop for ceremonies and rituals, bringing a sense of sanctity and reverence. Notably, the cathedral's roof is designed with 12 light tubes, providing soft natural light for the interior space, highlighting the architectural beauty as well as the decorative details. The harmonious combination of natural light and classical architecture creates a mysterious and dignified atmosphere, reflecting the spirit and beauty of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Notre Dame Cathedral Ho Chi Minh City has two 57.6m high bell towers, built in a polygonal shape with 6 levels. Each level has arched windows decorated with colored glass. At the top of each bell tower, there is a flower ring and a bronze cross.
Inside each bell tower are six bronze bells, weighing from 0.85 tons to 5.5 tons. Each bell is specially named after saints and Catholic sacraments. The bell system is operated by advanced electronic technology, allowing for various sounds depending on the occasion.
The bell towers of Notre Dame Cathedral also mark important historical events of the country, such as April 30, 1975, when the liberation army entered Saigon, and a bomb fell on the right tower, damaging part of the bell tower and some bells. Today, the bell towers of Notre Dame Cathedral still bear the marks of that bomb.
Apart from the main altar, Notre Dame Cathedral also has several side altars, located along the smaller aisles. These side altars are dedicated to saints, sacraments, and Catholic doctrines, such as:
- The Altar of Saint Joseph: Located in the left aisle near the entrance, this altar displays a statue of Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ, the patron saint of carpenters, families, and troubled souls. The altar also features a painting depicting the Holy Family's flight to Egypt.
- The Altar of Saint Paul: Situated in the right aisle near the entrance, this altar is decorated with a statue of Saint Paul, one of the first missionaries of the Catholic Church, the patron saint of missionaries, writers, and journalists. Prominently displayed on the altar is a painting of Saint Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus.
- The Altar of Saint Francis Xavier: Located in the left aisle near the main altar, this altar holds a statue of Saint Francis Xavier, a co-founder of the Jesuit order, patron saint of missionaries, students, and teachers. The altar is adorned with a painting depicting Saint Francis Xavier's missionary work in India, Japan, and China.
- The Altar of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus: Situated in the right aisle near the main altar, this altar features a statue of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, a Carmelite nun, patron saint of priests, nuns, and children. The painting on the altar illustrates the life and works of Saint Thérèse.
The cathedral also has other altars like those of Saint Anthony, Saint Peter, Saint Thomas, Sacred Heart of Jesus, each altar holding a special significance and contributing to the diverse and sacred atmosphere of Notre Dame Cathedral.
In front of Notre Dame Cathedral is a large and spacious park, creating a lush green oasis in the heart of the city. It is an ideal location for cultural, artistic, and religious events in the city.
The centerpiece of the park is the statue of the Virgin Mary, prominently placed in front of the cathedral. This 4.2m tall, 8.5-ton bronze sculpture was cast in Rome by sculptor Carlo Cerrachi. Set on a 3.6m high stone pedestal inscribed with “Regina Pacis” (Queen of Peace), the statue was gifted to Notre Dame Cathedral in 1959, commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Virgin Mary's appearance at Lourdes, France. More than just an art piece, the statue of the Virgin Mary symbolizes faith, love, and hope, capturing the hearts of many Catholic devotees.
Apart from the already mentioned features, Notre Dame Cathedral has several other unique architectural details that add to the charm and uniqueness of the building, such as:
- The Main Door of the Cathedral: Crafted from high-quality wood, adorned with carvings of saints and religious symbols. The imposing door, measuring 9.5m in height, 4m in width, and weighing 1.5 tons, is only opened during significant religious celebrations like Christmas, Easter, and other important church anniversaries.
- The Cathedral Clock: Located on the fifth level of the left bell tower, facing the park, the clock is made of brass, with a diameter of 2.4m, featuring four hands for hours, minutes, seconds, and days. Imported from Switzerland, it can operate on electricity or spring and is one of the largest and most accurate clocks in Vietnam.
- The Cathedral Plaque: A stone plaque located at the back of the cathedral, recording information about the history, architecture, and significant events of the cathedral. Measuring 1.5m x 2.5m, the plaque provides information in both Vietnamese and French, serving as a valuable resource for those interested in learning more about Notre Dame Cathedral.
Located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, Notre Dame Cathedral is easily accessible by various means of transport such as:
- Buses: A cost-effective option at about 5,000 VND per trip. You can catch a bus to the cathedral from several locations around the city, such as Tan Son Nhat Airport, Mien Dong Bus Station, Mien Tay Bus Station, Ben Thanh Market, and more.
- Motorbike taxis and motorbikes: You can rent a motorbike or use motorbike taxi services like Grab, Gojek, Be, etc., with prices ranging from 10,000 VND to 50,000 VND, depending on distance and travel time.
- Taxis and cars: Available for hire at various points in the city, with prices varying from 15,000 VND to 100,000 VND, depending on distance and travel time.
- Bicycles and electric bikes: You can rent these environmentally friendly modes of transport, with prices ranging from 5,000 VND to 20,000 VND, through various city points or technology services.
Notre Dame Cathedral welcomes visitors free of charge during the week from Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 11 am and from 2 pm to 4 pm. On Sundays, the cathedral is only open for visitors in the afternoon, from 3 pm to 5 pm. Additionally, you can attend church services at the following times:
- Monday to Friday: 5:30 am, 5:30 pm
- Saturday: 5:30 am, 6:30 am, 5:30 pm
- Sunday: 5:30 am, 6:30 am, 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 4 pm, 6 pm
Visitors should adhere to certain rules during their visit:
- Dress modestly, avoiding overly short or revealing clothing.
- Do not bring food, beverages, or cigarettes into the cathedral.
- Avoid touching religious artifacts and do not sit in areas reserved for devotees.
- Maintain silence and refrain from loud talking or laughing within the cathedral.
- Do not use flash photography, record videos, or live stream.
- Respect the religious ceremonies and those who are praying.
If you're planning to visit Notre Dame Cathedral, consider staying at hotels in District 1, close to the cathedral, for convenience, such as:
- Rex Hotel: Located at 141 Nguyen Hue, about 300m from the cathedral. With a long history and having hosted many famous personalities and politicians, it offers 286 luxurious rooms. Room rates range from 2.5 million to 6 million VND per night.
- Caravelle Hotel: Situated at 19 Lam Son Square, about 400m from the cathedral. Known for its history of over 60 years and being a former residence and workplace for many international journalists, it offers modern accommodations with room rates ranging from 3 million to 7 million VND per night.
- Continental Hotel: Located at 132-134 Dong Khoi, approximately 200m from the cathedral. As Saigon's oldest hotel, built in 1880, it has hosted famous writers like Marguerite Duras, Graham Greene, and André Malraux. Room rates vary from 1.5 million to 4 million VND per night.
Other hotel options in District 1 near the cathedral include the Majestic Hotel, Grand Hotel, Park Hyatt, ...
After visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, you can enjoy delicious and unique dishes of Saigon cuisine at nearby eateries, such as:
- Pho 2000: Famous for its beef and chicken pho, located at 1-3 Dinh Tien Hoang, just 100m from the cathedral. Visited by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 2000, it offers pho at prices ranging from 40,000 to 80,000 VND per bowl in a spacious and friendly environment.
- Banh Mi Hoa Ma: A long-standing eatery specializing in omelet baguettes and pan baguettes at 53 Cao Thang, about 1.5km from the cathedral. Established in 1958, it offers affordable breakfast options ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 VND per serving in a cozy atmosphere.
- Banh Xeo Muoi Xiem: Known for its banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes) and banh khot (mini pancakes), located at 204 Nguyen Trai, about 2km from the cathedral. Open since 1975, it offers a range of Southern Vietnamese dishes at prices ranging from 30,000 to 70,000 VND per plate in a spacious and comfortable setting.
After exploring Notre Dame Cathedral, you can visit other famous tourist spots in the area, such as:
- Independence Palace: About 800m from the cathedral, this historic architectural site was the workplace of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. Designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu, the palace features exhibits of historical artifacts and documents from 1954 to 1975, a large garden with various plants, a fish pond, and a bunker. Entry fee: 40,000 VND for adults, 20,000 VND for children.
- Vietnam History Museum: Located about 1.5km from the cathedral, the museum houses artifacts and documents showcasing Vietnam's history and culture from prehistoric times to the present. Built in French architectural style in 1929, it features over 40,000 artifacts displayed across 15 themed rooms. Entry fee: 30,000 VND for adults, 15,000 VND for children.
- Ben Thanh Market: Situated about 700m from the cathedral in Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, this traditional market is one of the largest and most famous in Saigon. It offers a wide range of products, including clothing, footwear, bags, jewelry, souvenirs, electronics, household goods, handicrafts, food, and beverages. The market's rectangular structure has four entrances and four clocks at each corner. There is no entry fee for the market.
Notre Dame Cathedral Ho Chi Minh City is a unique and beautiful architectural and religious structure, symbolizing Saigon and a popular tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors. Visit this site to experience some of the most interesting and memorable tourism experiences!
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