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Built in 1880, the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon was established by the French, and was initially named Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Saïgon, a testament to its French origins.
One amazing fact about this cathedral is that the building materials were imported from France. This really means that there is actually some France in this city! Interestingly, the current cathedral was not what was completed back in 1880. In fact, it was only in 1895 that the two bell towers were added, along with six bells for each tower.
The current statue of Our Lady of Peace one sees in front of the cathedral was also erected only in 1959, after the original statue of Pigneau de Behaine was removed.
One extraordinary anecdote was that the statue apparently shed a tear in October 2005. Reported to have flowed down from the right cheek, the top clergy of the Catholic Church in Vietnam nevertheless could not confirm whether the incident took place. However, it was still such a big deal when it was first reported that traffic could not pass through around the cathedral.
One amazing fact about this cathedral is that the building materials were imported from France. This really means that there is actually some France in this city! Interestingly, the current cathedral was not what was completed back in 1880. In fact, it was only in 1895 that the two bell towers were added, along with six bells for each tower.
The current statue of Our Lady of Peace one sees in front of the cathedral was also erected only in 1959, after the original statue of Pigneau de Behaine was removed.
One extraordinary anecdote was that the statue apparently shed a tear in October 2005. Reported to have flowed down from the right cheek, the top clergy of the Catholic Church in Vietnam nevertheless could not confirm whether the incident took place. However, it was still such a big deal when it was first reported that traffic could not pass through around the cathedral.
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When we were there in May 2019, the cathedral was undergoing renovations. Hence, one may not be able to get a complete picture of the cathedral. However, this does not affect the grandeur of the building. The throngs of tourists continually taking pictures of this building proves just this fact.
By the time you arrive here, the renovations have hopefully been completed. If not, do not worry, but simply enjoy the cathedral and snap a picture together with Our Lady of Peace!
By the time you arrive here, the renovations have hopefully been completed. If not, do not worry, but simply enjoy the cathedral and snap a picture together with Our Lady of Peace!
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Address: 01 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Quận 1 Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm daily
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm daily