In the heart of Ho chi minh City, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica is probably the most famous landmark in Saigon. It is a magnificient building located at the Paris Square attracting not only Catholics but also most tourists for its neo-Romanesque style architecture and romantic atmosphere very appreciated by couples for their wedding album.

Built between 1863 and 1880, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica has two bell towers, reaching a height of 190 feet. All the original building materials were imported from France. The outside wall of the cathedral was built with bricks from Marseille (french city in the south of France). Outside the granite statue of the Virgin Mary was installed in 1959. In October 2005, the statue was reported to have shed tears, attracting thousands of people and forcing Vietnam authorities to stop traffic around the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Visitors are welcomed by the following latin sign above the door: "Deo Optimo Maximo Beatœque Maria Virgini Immaculatœ" which means "To God, the greatest and best, Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate".

Full services in both Vietnamese and English are held every Sunday morning and are well attended by Vietnamese and foreigners alike. Other services are held throughout the week. Hence, visitors who wish to attend mass should go on Sunday at 9.30am.

On the left side, there's the CMI (Clinic medical International) also known as Alain Carpentier clinic. French establishment considered as a reference in cardiac surgery in Vietnam, a lot of people go to Ho Chi Minh city to consult the Institute’s cardiologists. CMI offers services such as gynaecology, ophtalmology, osteopathic, paediatrics, psychiatry, psychology, traditional medecine...

On the right side, the Saigon Central Post Office (Bưu điện Trung tâm Sài Gòn) built when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the early 20th century. Did you know who built it?
It was designed and built by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel in harmony with the surrounding area.

Usually tourists start to visit the Basilica then the Post office, they walk around the church and at 200 meters can see the Reunification Palace (Dinh Thông Nhât) designed by the architect Ngô Viết Thụ, it was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

After this tour, they like to stop for a drink at Highlands Coffee before entering to the Diamond Plaza (cosmetics, fragrance, jewelry, prestigious brands, sunglasses, clothes, shoes, handbags, cinema...).