Tan Dinh Church

The church of the Sacred Heart at Tan Dinh was consecrated in 1876 and is the second largest church in Ho Chi Minh City after the cathedral, built in a Romanesque manner with gothic detail and a bell tower of about fifty-three metres carrying five bells cast in France. Its distinguishing feature is the paint: the whole exterior, and much of the interior, is pink with white trim, a scheme applied in the twentieth century and maintained since, which has made it one of the most photographed buildings in the city. It is a working parish and the interior is open around services rather than continuously.

What you'll find

• A church painted pink throughout - the exterior and much of the interior.
• Consecrated in 1876 - the city's second largest church.
• A fifty-three metre tower - with five French-cast bells.
• A working parish - open around services.

When to go

Year round; the pink reads strongest in bright light. An hour.

Before you go

The interior is often closed and photography inside is restricted. The pavement outside is narrow and busy with scooters and photographers. It is a place of worship and behaviour is expected to reflect that.

Nearby

District 1 and the cathedral are south-west; Tan Dinh market is next door.

Key facts