Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office: Visit Guide

You cannot go inside Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral to sightsee while the restoration continues, but it stays open every day for Mass. The Central Post Office next door is free to enter and open 07:30 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 17:00 on Sunday.

By Vincent Nguyen

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral is still under restoration: you cannot go inside to sightsee, but it is open every day for Mass. The Central Post Office beside it is the part you can walk into, open 07:30 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday.

Notre-Dame Cathedral status and post office opening hours

The cathedral: restoration and access

The restoration began in July 2017 and is led by Belgium’s Monument Group. After nearly nine years, the cathedral is shedding its scaffolding. Two gold-plated crosses went up on the towers on 19 March 2026. The interior is still off limits.

The work continues and no completion date has been set (head of the restoration committee, 19 March 2026). The earlier target was the end of 2027, and the project is now expected to take longer.

Visitors cannot go inside to sightsee, but the cathedral stays open every day for Mass, and you can photograph the outside (cathedral representative, 11 December 2025). Weekday Mass is at 5:30 and 17:30, with adoration at 20:00. Saturday Mass is at 17:30, and Sunday Mass is at 5:30, 8:00, 9:30, 14:00, 17:30 and 19:00. Inside, the cathedral stayed lit for services.

The post office: hours and entry

Opening hours are 07:30 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday and 08:00 to 17:00 on Sunday.

Entry is free. The building still keeps its postal function inside.

What to see at the cathedral and the post office

The cathedral from outside

The two bell towers reach 58 meters. The outside wall was built with bricks from Toulouse. The restoration has returned the red-brick facade to its original appearance.

The Lady of Peace statue was installed in the forecourt in 1959, and the name Notre-Dame has been used since. Each new cross on the towers measures 3.7 metres and weighs about 400 kilogrammes.

Inside the post office

Two painted maps made just after the building was finished hang inside. The second shows greater Saigon and is titled “Saigon et ses environs 1892”. Plaques on the outside wall honour scientists and engineers.

A short history

• The cathedral was built from 7 October 1877 to 11 April 1880, and its bell towers were added in 1895.
• The post office was constructed between 1886 and 1891.
• Alfred Foulhoux designed it, though it is often erroneously credited to Gustave Eiffel.
• A journal of 15 September 1891 reported that the inauguration was held on 14 July.

Who it suits (and who should skip it)

• Architecture fans: the post office was constructed between 1886 and 1891 and is free to enter.
• Visitors with under an hour: allow 30 to 60 minutes at the post office.
• Photographers: the cathedral, the pigeons outside and the Lady of Peace statue can be photographed from outside.
• Catholics: the cathedral is open every day for Mass.
• Skip the cathedral stop if you want to see its interior: visitors cannot go in to sightsee during the restoration.

How to get to the cathedral and post office

The cathedral is at 1 Paris Commune Square. The post office is at 2 Paris Commune Square, in Saigon Ward, next to the cathedral.

Metro Line 1 has an Opera House (Nha hat Thanh pho) station. Free bus route 155 runs between Ben Thanh station and the Municipal Theatre.

Open the cathedral in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Open the post office in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

When to go and how long

The post office opens at 07:30 Monday to Saturday and 08:00 on Sunday. It closes at 18:00 Monday to Saturday and 17:00 on Sunday.

Allow about 30 to 60 minutes to see the architecture, take photos and look at the souvenir counters. Posting something or adding the nearby Nguyen Van Binh book street takes about 1 to 2 hours.

For photos, go in early morning or late afternoon. Expect scaffolding or work areas near the towers, as the restoration is continuing.

Nearby and how to combine it

Independence Palace has an entrance at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward. It is open 07:00 to 18:00 daily.

For a half-day, start at the post office from 07:30, then go to the palace, which is open daily including weekends and holidays. More sights are in things to do in Ho Chi Minh City and the 3-day itinerary. The Jade Emperor Pagoda has its own guide.

Before you go

• The post office closes at 18:00 Monday to Saturday and 17:00 on Sunday.
• Entry to the post office is free.
• Plan to see the cathedral from outside: visitors cannot go in to sightsee during the restoration.
• To see inside, attend Mass: weekday Mass is at 5:30 and 17:30.
• Photograph the cathedral from the forecourt, where the Lady of Peace statue stands.
• Allow 30 to 60 minutes for the post office.
• Bring postcards or mail to send, since the building still works as a post office.

Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), Saigon Central Post Office on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Google Maps contributor, Masafumi Saito, Enrique Ruiz Uruena, Han HAN, Jae-ho Hong.

↑ Contents

Not confirmed: The cathedral's access rule and Mass times are from December 2025. Post office hours come from Google Maps, and the post office publishes none online.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

Spotted an error? Report it.