Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral
The morning after the we arrived to Saigon, we took the time to walk around and sight see.
The impressive Notre Dame Cathedral was built by the French between 1863 and 1880 and features two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190 feet). All the original building materials were imported from France. Tiles have been carved with the words Guichard Carvin, Marseille St André France. Some tiles are carved with the words "Wang-Tai Saigon". Many tiles have since been made in Saigon to replace the tiles that were damaged by the war. There are 56 glass squares supplied by the Lorin firm of Chartres in France.
Le Place Pigneau de Behaine, the square in front of the cathedral, holds a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary. During October 2005, the statue was reported to have shed tears, attracting thousands of people and forcing authorities to stop traffic around the Cathedral. However, the top clergy of the Catholic Church in Vietnam confirmed that the Virgin Mary statue in front of a cathedral did not shed tears.
The beautiful Central Post Office was constructed in classic French colonial style between 1866 and 1891 by Gustave Eiffel, who is famous for designing the Eiffel Tower. The interior is also worth a visit; huge ceilings, a giant portrait of Uncle Ho and many beautiful details and decorations.
On both sides of the entrance you’ll find a statue symbolizing the contributions of the post office’s staff in the wartime and present day. They were erected in 1998 – on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh City.
Read MoreThe impressive Notre Dame Cathedral was built by the French between 1863 and 1880 and features two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190 feet). All the original building materials were imported from France. Tiles have been carved with the words Guichard Carvin, Marseille St André France. Some tiles are carved with the words "Wang-Tai Saigon". Many tiles have since been made in Saigon to replace the tiles that were damaged by the war. There are 56 glass squares supplied by the Lorin firm of Chartres in France.
Le Place Pigneau de Behaine, the square in front of the cathedral, holds a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary. During October 2005, the statue was reported to have shed tears, attracting thousands of people and forcing authorities to stop traffic around the Cathedral. However, the top clergy of the Catholic Church in Vietnam confirmed that the Virgin Mary statue in front of a cathedral did not shed tears.
The beautiful Central Post Office was constructed in classic French colonial style between 1866 and 1891 by Gustave Eiffel, who is famous for designing the Eiffel Tower. The interior is also worth a visit; huge ceilings, a giant portrait of Uncle Ho and many beautiful details and decorations.
On both sides of the entrance you’ll find a statue symbolizing the contributions of the post office’s staff in the wartime and present day. They were erected in 1998 – on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh City.
