The Notre Dame Cathedral of Ho Chi Minh City is the largest church building to be constructed in the French empire outside of France. This basilica-style cathedral has a 40-meter (120-foot) spire which was the tallest structure in the then Saigon when it was completed in 1880.
Notre Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh City
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HCMC_Notre_Dame_Cathedral.jpg
Eustaquio Santimano
Notre Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh Cityhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HCMC_Notre_Dame_Cathedral.jpgEustaquio SantimanoThe Notre Dame Cathedral is finished with red tiles imported from Marseilles. These tiles make the façade look like it is brickwork. The cathedral originally had beautiful stained-glass windows from Chartes. Unfortunately these were destroyed during the Second World War, and during restoration, replaced with plain glass.
In front of the Notre Dame Cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary made in Rome and brought over to Vietnam in 1959. It is given the name Holy Mary Queen of Peace, in the hope that the statue will bring peace to the then war-torn country.
The Notre Dame Cathedral is still packed with worshippers. You can go up to the belfry on Sundays. From there, you can get a splendid view of the city.
More information for visiting Vietnam
- How to Plan Your Perfect Vietnam Vacation from Penang - Travel Tips, Suggested Durations, Top Attractions & Transport Guide
Discover how to get to Vietnam from Penang, plus recommended itinerary lengths (short, medium, long), top destinations across the country, and transport tips for seamless travel.
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