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 did not shed tears. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story I say. There is ALWAYS someone getting their wedding photos taken here. Usually 3 or 4. Very popular and you can see why.
Just to the right of the cathedral is the the beautiful Central Post Office, one of the best looking colonial public buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. The building was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the early 20th century. It has a Gothic architectural style which was designed and constructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel (thats pronounced "eye full" Nicole....in joke...sorry) of Eiffel Tower fame and has become a tourist destination in its own right.
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| Everyones favorite Uncle, Uncle Ho. |
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| Central Post Office |
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| Notre-Dame |
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| You can just make out the "Crying" Virgin Mary in front |
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| Awwwww |
We LOVED that post office!!! Who'da thought? Beautiful blue skied day, too. Stunning. Great shots, Dan. x
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