Just about one block away from the Reunification Palace (or Independence Palace, whichever name suit your preference), I then proceed to my next destination, the Notre Dame Cathedral. This is one of the few famous churches in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and among the most beautiful in Southeast Asia, in my opinion, though I have yet to fully explore every corner of the region.
 |
| The Notre Dame Cathedral |
Also known as the Saigon Notre Dame Basilica (there are often many names attached to one building, just like the Independence Palace/Reunification Palace), it was established by the French colonialists back when Vietnam was one of the French conquests.
I won't bore you with its history since I myself am not too familiar with it (if you are interested, you can always refer to its Wikipedia page here). While I was there, I came across a number of couples having their wedding shoots taken with the basilica as the background and you can see that this historical structure is well-loved by many Vietnamese.
 |
| I stumbled across 3 couples having their wedding shoots taken there |
Not only couples want to have their wedding pictures taken there, tourists too want to have a shot with the beautiful structure.
 |
| Profile shot of some travellers... |
Here are some random shots of the building:
 |
| The back of the church |
Lastly, of me with the Notre Dame Cathedral.
*TO BE CONTINUED*
Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.
The church is close and only open during Sunday Mass at 9.30 am. Therefore, I was unable to have a look at its interior as I was not in the city on Sunday. If you want to attend its Sunday Mass, plan your trip properly.
*Update* Apparently, even if you visited during weekdays, there is a side door that you can use to access into the cathedral if the main gate is closed. I'm not too sure whether this piece of information is real or not as I myself just found out about it. Please let me know if this is doable or not.
Just like you, I was unable to enter. The same reason because the church was close. Did you check out the post office across the road?
ReplyDeleteYea, I like their central post office. So grand. I spent an hour plus there writing postcards and all.
ReplyDeleteOh! There's a Notre Dame Cathedral here?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a wonderful place to take breath-taking wedding pics!!!
ReplyDeletefoongpc: Yea, there is and it is one of the beautiful church in Southeast Asia...
ReplyDeleteAudrey: Yea, based on the number of couples having their wedding pictures taken there...
I did went inside this church. Even the weather was hot like you mentioned it before, but I found out the photo you took are stunning especially the background with blue sky and clouds.
ReplyDeleteI think I saw one cathedral in Da Nang.. similar to this one but maybe a bit smaller i think
ReplyDeleteDiana: Thanks! When you went inside the church, was it a weekend or a weekday? Did you enter through side door or the main door? I want to clarify it so that next time I can enter the cathedral.
ReplyDeleteDan: You went to Da Nang, is it? I just passed by Da Nang as I went to Hoi An and Hue.