Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon
A cathedral built in the 1880s from materials shipped from France, under scaffolding for over a decade.
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The cathedral was built between 1877 and 1880 and its materials came almost entirely from France - the red brick from Marseille, which has never needed painting and has kept its colour, along with the stained glass and fittings, shipped out for the purpose. The two spires were added in 1895, bringing it to about sixty metres. It stands facing the old post office across a square in the middle of District 1. A major restoration began in 2017 and has run far longer than planned, with the building wrapped in scaffolding and closed to visitors for extended periods, so access should be checked rather than assumed.
What you actually see
- Brick shipped from Marseille - which has never been painted.
- Built 1877 to 1880 - with spires added in 1895.
- About sixty metres to the spires - facing the old post office.
- A long restoration since 2017 - with closures and scaffolding.
When to go
Year round, subject to the restoration. An hour.
Honest expectations
The building has been closed or scaffolded for years and may not be enterable or even visible. It is a working cathedral when open, with services taking precedence. The square outside is busy with traffic.
Nearby
The central post office is opposite; the opera house is a short walk east.
What to pack for Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.