Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon

#hochiminhcity Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, a cherished landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, captivates visitors with its striking French Gothic architecture and rich historical significance. Completed in the late 19th century, the cathedral's twin towers rise majestically above the bustling streets, creating an imposing yet serene presence. Its red-brick facade, adorned with intricate carvings and stained glass windows, exudes timeless elegance. Inside, the lofty nave and ornate altars inspire awe and reverence. A symbol of resilience, the cathedral survived wars and stands as a testament to Vietnam's cultural heritage. A visit here is a poignant journey through history and faith.

Day 1: Breakfast - Central Post Office - Notre Dame Cathedral - Lunch - City Hall - Central Street - Dinner – Ho Chi Minh Square 1️⃣ Started the day with a coffee at Trung Nguyên Legend Café. This brand is found all over Ho Chi Minh City and is considered a fantastic local coffee chain. And, the one near Notre Dame Cathedral is special because it has an indoor beach, allowing you to feel relaxed by the seaside in the heart of the city. 2️⃣ Then, I headed to the Central Post Office, which isn't far from the coffee shop. On either side of the post office, you can handle postal services, while in the middle, you can find various souvenirs. 3️⃣ Right across from the post office is Notre Dame Cathedra. The cathedral was built in 1877 during the French colonial period. 4️⃣ For lunch, I dined at RUNAN, a restaurant next to Notre Dame Cathedral. I ordered a Berry Smoothie, Prawn and Pomelo Salad, and Grilled Prawn with Vietnamese noodles. It was quite delicious. Address: Số 3 Công xã Paris, Phường Bến Nghé, Quận 1, TP Hồ Chí Minh 5️⃣ After lunch, I explored City Hall, and nearby was Central Street, which felt like Paris's Champs-Élysées. After some tiring sightseeing, I found another corner café to relax. Vietnamese coffee is generally quite delicious, and any random café I chose was good. 6️⃣ Dinner was a casual affair with street food such as egg pancakes, rice balls, and grilled meat. After eating, I strolled to Ho Chi Minh Square. The City Hall was even more beautiful at night, and I took some photos before returning to the hotel.

Embark on an enchanting journey through Vietnam, a country where rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture converge. Begin in the bustling capital of Hanoi, where centuries-old temples and French colonial architecture coexist. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, explore the labyrinthine streets of the Old Quarter, and savor the street food delights like pho and banh mi. Venture to the breathtaking Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its emerald waters and thousands of limestone islands. Cruise through the bay on a traditional junk boat, explore hidden caves, and relax on secluded beaches. In central Vietnam, discover the ancient town of Hoi An, a beautifully preserved trading port with lantern-lit streets, charming canals, and historic buildings. Experience the vibrant culture through cooking classes, tailor shops, and the bustling night market. Travel to Hue, the former imperial capital, where the grandeur of the Nguyen Dynasty comes alive in the Imperial City, pagodas, and royal tombs. Explore the Perfume River by boat and immerse yourself in the city’s rich cultural heritage. Head south to the dynamic metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, where modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum offer a compelling narrative of Vietnam’s past and present. Dive into the local markets, vibrant nightlife, and diverse culinary scene. Don’t miss the natural wonders of the Mekong Delta, where lush landscapes, floating markets, and traditional villages offer a glimpse into rural Vietnamese life. Explore the delta by boat, meet local artisans, and sample exotic fruits and regional specialties. From the terraced rice fields of Sapa to the sandy beaches of Nha Trang and the lush highlands of Dalat, Vietnam’s diverse landscapes offer endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. Whether you're exploring cultural treasures, cruising scenic waters, or indulging in the rich flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, Vietnam promises a journey filled with unforgettable experiences and warm hospitality. #vietnamtrip #familytrips2024

🌈Highlights: Ho Chi Minh is the largest city in Vietnam. Due to French colonization, it still retains a rich French style. Eating baguettes, drinking coffee, looking at European-style buildings on the street, many people still like to call Ho Chi Minh "Saigon", indeed this name sounds more literary. The French left not only bread here, but also French romance full of Vietnamese characteristics. Walking through the exquisite houses, the sun shines through the plane trees on the ground, saying it is a small Paris in the East, there is indeed a bit of feeling. After breakfast at the homestay, I took a map and started strolling along Fan Wulao Street. If you ask what the biggest feeling is, of course it is the legendary motorcycle army, this is absolutely true. ⭐️Stroll in Ho Chi Minh: ✅The first place I went to was Bianqing Market, the largest market in Ho Chi Minh. If you see a big clock, it's there. It's similar to our small commodity market. It mainly sells clothes, shoes, tourist souvenirs, coffee dry goods, and snacks. There are not a few locals and tourists. You have to cut prices hard when you buy things here, and you can just stroll around if you don't buy it. ✅The government building of Ho Chi Minh, with a strong French style, was built in 1902. The city hall has two floors, with simple and clear lines, a red roof, and a yellow exterior wall, which is particularly bright against the blue sky. ✅Not far from the city hall is the Cathedral of Saint Mary, originally named the Cathedral of the King of Saigon. It is modeled after the bell tower of Notre Dame de Paris. It is a typical Gothic building. The two towers are more than forty meters high. The red bricks used for construction were all shipped from France. After more than a hundred years, the color is still bright. Because of the red color, it is also called the Red Church. The church was built in the late 19th century and is a product of the French colonial period. Against the blue sky and surrounding green trees, it exudes a strong French atmosphere. The ivory tower is towering into the sky, and you can see it from a distance. With the red wall, it is very eye-catching. ✅Across from the Red Church is the Central Post Office. It is the first post office built during the French colonial period. The exterior looks like a station at first glance. The bright yellow exterior wall is as eye-catching as the Red Church. The interior decoration of the post office is gorgeous, and the dome is composed of round windows, flower-shaped wall lamps, decorative pillars, etc., which are very classical. At the end of the hall hangs a huge portrait of Ho Chi Minh, with service counters on both sides, and the long counter in the middle is full of various souvenirs and postcards. ✅The Unification Palace was built in 1868 and was once the office of the French Governor in Vietnam. Now it is the place to receive heads of state and hold government meetings. The main body of the building is white, with four floors in total. It adopts a symmetrical layout design. Looking down from above, it looks like a "Ji" character, hoping for national prosperity. The large green lawn in front of the palace is quite stylish, and you can visit various halls and conference rooms inside. ✅From the Red Church, walk along Hai Bang Trung Road for about twenty minutes to the Pink Church. The sign says it is not open from 12-14. The church is officially named the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is a Roman Catholic church. It was built during the French colonial period in the early 20th century. The unique pink color makes it a holy place for many tourists to take pictures and check in. The church is not big, you can see it all around. ✨Tips: ✅One of the characteristics of Vietnamese street, eating, drinking coffee, and chatting are all done by setting up a low table with a few small stools on the side of the road, and the price is very affordable. ✅There are many motorcycles on the street. When taking pictures on the side of the road, try to stay away from the carriageway. One is to prevent collisions, and the other is to protect the camera from flying thieves. ✅I have seen a lot of evaluations, basically all of them are good for FUTA. There is a FUTA ticket office on Fan Wulao Street. The boarding point is opposite. You can buy a ticket to Dalat in advance. ✅The night of Fan Wulao Street is also the most lively time. The bars on both sides open for business one after another. You can experience the nightlife of Ho Chi Minh. 🚌Public transportation: There is a bus to Fan Wulao Street at the airport. Tell the ticket seller in advance and he will call you off when you arrive. The homestay I booked is near Fan Lao Wu Street, and there are many hotels around. If you live in this area, you can also walk to most of the attractions in Ho Chi Minh.