FechTin Go · Vietnam · Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
Birds over the bell towers · Binh Ho Image · Pexels License
A red-brick cathedral with twin bell towers downtown, its bricks shipped in from Marseille.
The French built this at the end of the nineteenth century and used not a single local brick: all of the red brick came from Marseille, unrendered, and it still holds its colour with almost no moss on it. The two pointed bell towers, over sixty metres, were the tallest thing in Saigon for decades. In front stands a statue of Our Lady of Peace carved from Italian granite, facing down the boulevard. The building is in the middle of a restoration running for years, so most of the time you will find it inside scaffolding — check before making a trip for photographs.
Visitor information
When is the best time to visit Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica?
Early morning, before the heat and the crowds
How long do you need at Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica?
30 - 45 minutes
What are the opening hours of Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica?
Outside service times; the schedule is posted at the gate
Did you know
- The cathedral was built at the end of the nineteenth century under French rule.
- All of its red brick was shipped from Marseille and left unrendered.
- The two bell towers stand over 60m and were once the tallest structures in Saigon.
- The statue of Our Lady of Peace in front is carved from Italian granite.
Travel tips
- The cathedral is under a long restoration — check the scaffolding situation before coming to photograph it.
- The Central Post Office is right next door; do both in one stop.
Updated: 2026-08-16