A basilica is a special honorary title given to certain churches or sanctuaries in Rome and worldwide for their antiquity, historical importance, and spiritual significance. Out of nearly 6,000 churches across Vietnam, only four churches have been recognized as basilicas. These are located in Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Tri, Nam Dinh, and Ha Nam. The four basilicas include:
- Notre Dame Cathedral (Duc Ba Cathedral) in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
- La Vang Church
- Phu Nhai Church
- Ke So Church
Among these, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon—commonly known in Vietnamese as Duc Ba Cathedral—is one of the most iconic.
General Information
- Address: No. 1 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Notre Dame Cathedral, or Duc Ba Cathedral as it’s often called locally, is a symbol of Ho Chi Minh City and a must-visit destination for both domestic and international tourists. The cathedral measures 91 meters long and 35.5 meters wide. The central dome rises 21 meters, and the twin bell towers soar to nearly 57 meters.
Designed by architect J. Bourard, the cathedral exemplifies classic French architecture, featuring a spacious and airy design from the exterior to the interior.
History of Notre Dame Cathedral
Though Notre Dame Cathedral is one of Saigon’s most prominent religious structures, few people know its full history.
- Construction began: 1877
- Completed: 1880
- Designer: Architect J. Bourard
On April 11, 1880, the dedication and inauguration ceremony was led by Father Colombet, attended by the Governor of Cochinchina, Le Myre de Villers.
The cathedral was initially called the State Church, reflecting its funding and management by the French colonial government, which invested 2,500,000 francs in its construction. It was later renamed Notre Dame Cathedral, with its official name being Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica. The church was granted basilica status in 1962.
Highlights of Notre Dame Cathedral
The Main Cathedral
Inside, the cathedral was engineered to withstand ten times the building’s own weight. Its layout includes:
- One central nave
- Two side aisles
- Two chapels
The cathedral interior is 93 meters long, 35 meters wide, and features a 21-meter-high dome. It can accommodate up to 1,200 people.
Duc Ba Cathedral’s Bell Towers
The bell towers are often described as the soul of Duc Ba Cathedral. Originally, the cathedral featured two 36.6-meter towers without spires. In 1895, spires were added, increasing their height by another 21 meters for a total of 57 meters.
Each tower houses three of the cathedral’s six bells, each intricately decorated with elegant designs.
The Altar Area
The altars are meticulously carved from solid marble. The cathedral boasts 56 multi-colored stained glass windows, creating vibrant, luminous scenes. The interior’s patterns and architecture reflect a harmonious blend of Roman and Gothic styles, exuding both solemnity and elegance.
The Park and Statue Outside
In front of Notre Dame Cathedral lies a beautifully landscaped park. At its center stands the Statue of Our Lady of Peace, sculpted by G. Ciocchetti in 1959. This statue:
- Stands 4.6 meters tall
- Weighs 8 tons
- Is carved from white Italian marble
Our Lady is depicted holding a globe topped with a cross, her gaze lifted toward the sky in a gesture of prayer for peace in Vietnam.
Other Architectural Highlights
- Bronze statue of Pigneau de Béhaine: Cast in France in 1903, the statue depicted Bishop Pigneau de Béhaine holding Prince Nguyen Phuc Canh, symbolizing the historical ties between Catholicism and the Nguyen Dynasty. The statue was removed in 1945, leaving only its marble pedestal.
- Marble pedestal and Our Lady statue: After the pedestal was vacant for several years, Father Joseph Pham Van Thien commissioned the Our Lady of Peace statue in 1958 to replace the earlier statue.
Visiting Hours
Notre Dame Cathedral Mass Schedule:
- Monday – Saturday: 5:30 AM, 5:30 PM
- Sunday: 5:30 AM, 6:45 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM (English Mass), 4:00 PM, 5:15 PM, 6:30 PM
Attractions Near Duc Ba Cathedral
After exploring Notre Dame Cathedral, visitors can conveniently visit other attractions nearby:
- Independence Palace
- Turtle Lake
- Vietnam History Museum
- Bitexco Financial Tower
- Landmark 81 (for panoramic “check-in in the clouds” photos)
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street
- Ben Thanh Market
Notre Dame Cathedral Today
Notre Dame Cathedral remains an essential symbol of Ho Chi Minh City—a masterpiece of French colonial architecture and a silent witness to the city’s tumultuous and transformative history. The cathedral has been undergoing careful restoration and is expected to be fully restored by 2025. The renovation is carried out meticulously to preserve the original architectural details.
Remarkably, all construction materials—cement, steel, and even screws—were originally imported from France. The cathedral’s exterior is built from Marseille bricks, left unplastered, which have retained their vibrant pinkish hue over the decades. Unlike many other churches in Ho Chi Minh City, Notre Dame Cathedral has no surrounding walls or fences, allowing it to seamlessly blend with the city’s urban landscape.
Notre Dame Cathedral is not just an architectural gem but a living symbol of the city’s history and cultural heritage, attracting millions of visitors each year.
