Famous Churches in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is home to many beautiful and historic churches, reflecting its French colonial past and strong Catholic community. Whether you’re interested in architecture, history, or religious sites, here are some of the most famous churches in Saigon.

1. Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon (Nhà thờ Đức Bà Sài Gòn)

📍 Location: Công xã Paris Square, District 1📆 Built: 1877 – 1880🎨 Style: French Gothic🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

The most famous church in Saigon, located in the city center.
Built with red bricks from France, featuring two 58-meter-tall bell towers.
The Virgin Mary statue in front of the church is said to have shed tears in 2005.
Undergoing renovation since 2017, but still a must-visit landmark.

2. Tân Định Church (Nhà thờ Tân Định) – The Pink Church

📍 Location: 289 Hai Bà Trưng Street, District 3📆 Built: 1876🎨 Style: Gothic & Baroque🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

Famous for its bright pink color, making it one of the most Instagrammable spots in Saigon.
Second-largest church in Ho Chi Minh City, after Notre Dame.
Beautiful white and gold interiors with stained-glass windows.
Less crowded than Notre Dame, making it a peaceful place for prayer and photography.

3. Huyện Sỹ Church (Nhà thờ Huyện Sĩ)

📍 Location: 1 Tôn Thất Tùng Street, District 1📆 Built: 1902 – 1905🎨 Style: French Gothic🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

One of the oldest churches in Saigon, built by Huyện Sỹ, one of Vietnam’s richest men at the time.
Features stunning stained-glass windows and granite stone walls.
Huyện Sỹ and his wife are buried inside the church.
A less touristy alternative to Notre Dame.

4. Cha Tam Church (Nhà thờ Cha Tam) – The Chinese Church

📍 Location: 25 Học Lạc Street, District 5 (Chinatown)📆 Built: 1900🎨 Style: Gothic with Chinese influences🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

The only Catholic church in Chinatown (Chợ Lớn), blending Chinese and Western architecture.
Known for its yellow exterior with traditional red Chinese tiles.
Historic site: President Ngô Đình Diệm hid here before being captured and executed in 1963.
Offers a unique mix of Catholic and Chinese traditions.

5. St. Joseph Seminary Church (Tiểu Chủng Viện Thánh Giuse)

📍 Location: 6 Tôn Đức Thắng Street, District 1📆 Built: 1863🎨 Style: French Romanesque🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

A hidden gem in Saigon, not as well-known as Notre Dame.
Part of a seminary, meaning it’s mostly visited by priests and theology students.
Peaceful atmosphere with lush gardens and historic charm.
Great for those interested in Catholic studies and quiet reflection.

6. Đức Bà Hòa Bình Church (Queen of Peace Church)

📍 Location: Tôn Đức Thắng Street, District 1📆 Built: 1950s🎨 Style: Modern Catholic🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

Located inside Tôn Đức Thắng University, making it a student-friendly church.
Has a simplistic yet elegant design, focusing on prayer and reflection.
One of the lesser-known modern Catholic churches in the city.

7. Thị Nghè Church (Nhà thờ Thị Nghè)

📍 Location: District 1 (near the Saigon Zoo)📆 Built: 1859🎨 Style: French colonial with Vietnamese touches🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

One of the oldest Catholic churches in Ho Chi Minh City.
Located near the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
Famous for hosting important Catholic ceremonies in the past.

8. Nhà Thờ Giáo Xứ Chợ Quán (Chợ Quán Parish Church)

📍 Location: 120 Trần Bình Trọng, District 5📆 Built: 1720 (rebuilt multiple times)🎨 Style: Neo-Gothic🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

The oldest church in Ho Chi Minh City, originally built in 1720.
Located in Chợ Lớn (Chinatown), reflecting the Catholic presence in a Buddhist-dominated area.
Features a beautiful twin-bell tower and a grand altar.

9. Fatima Bình Triệu Church (Nhà thờ Fatima Bình Triệu)

📍 Location: Bình Thạnh District📆 Built: 1960🎨 Style: Modern Catholic🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

Dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, one of the most famous Marian apparitions in Catholic history.
Has a peaceful environment for prayer and meditation.
Known for miracle stories and large Catholic gatherings.

10. Nhà Thờ Tân Phước (Tân Phước Church)

📍 Location: District 11📆 Built: Late 20th century🎨 Style: Modern Gothic🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

A large and relatively new church serving District 11’s Catholic community.
Beautiful stained-glass windows and towering spires.
Holds major Catholic celebrations throughout the year.

Bonus: Lesser-Known But Beautiful Churches in Ho Chi Minh City

📍 Nhà thờ Bắc Hà (Bắc Hà Church) – A small but elegant church in Tân Bình District.📍 Nhà thờ Hạnh Thông Tây – A beautiful church with Byzantine-style architecture in Gò Vấp District.📍 Nhà thờ Vườn Xoài – Located in District 3, with a tranquil atmosphere.📍 Nhà thờ Bình Thới – A large and well-decorated church in District 11.

Conclusion: The Catholic Heart of Saigon

Whether you’re a Catholic pilgrim, an architecture enthusiast, or a history lover, Ho Chi Minh City’s churches offer a rich cultural experience. From the famous Notre Dame Cathedral to hidden parish churches, each place has a story to tell.

📸 Which church are you most excited to visit? Let me know if you need more details! 😊