NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL – HO CHI MINH CITY POST OFFICE

The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, more affectionately known as the Notre Dame Cathedral, began construction in 1877. Designed by French architect Jules Bourard, its architecture was inspired by the Notre Dame de Paris in France.

The interior of the Cathedral captivates visitors with 56 vibrant stained-glass windows pieced together to create an impressive visual. Every line, molding, and pattern within the cathedral follows the Romanesque and Gothic styles, appearing both solemn and elegant. Beyond being an architectural masterpiece, the Cathedral is a historical witness to the transformations of Ho Chi Minh City over the past century.

Just a few steps from the Cathedral is the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office. Built between 1886 and 1891 according to the design of Marie-Alfred Foulhoux, the Chief Architect of Cochinchina, the Post Office stands out with its balanced composition and arched vaulted roof above the entrances. An impressive highlight is the antique clock atop the building’s facade, manufactured in the late 19th century. Along the facade, rectangular panels commemorate inventors in the fields of telegraphy and electricity, such as François Arago, Alessandro Volta, Benjamin Franklin, and Michael Faraday.

Under the shade of roadside trees, as pigeons flap their wings into the sky, the gentle serenity of the Virgin Mary statue in the Cathedral’s square and the humble tranquility of the City Post Office blend together to create a profoundly peaceful beauty.