Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral's Christmas splendor captivates throngs

By Quynh Tran, Dinh Van   December 8, 2025 | 12:16 am PT
The nightly transformation of Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral into a Christmas spectacle drew hundreds of patient onlookers, who waited nearly an hour to see the landmark ignited by over 1,000 kilometers of brilliant LED lights.
Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral's Christmas splendor captivates throngs

The highlight this year is 1,000 km of LED lights, double the amount of last year. Along the roof tiles are many motifs such as globes, stars, bells.

On the two bell towers, LED lights are added to create the shape of Christmas trees.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral's Christmas splendor captivates throngs

On the evening of Dec. 5, in the lobby of the upper floor of a nearby shopping mall, many people showed up an hour early to wait for the moment when the Notre Dame Cathedral lit up.

At 6:45 p.m., bells tolled and lights swept up from the bell tower to the roof as a sea of people using their smartphones recorded the moment.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral's Christmas splendor captivates throngs

The lighting system uses LED bulbs that do not emit heat, avoiding the impact on trees and the structure of the building under renovation.

Inside the church grounds, there is a grotto and miniatures recreating the Nativity scenes.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral's Christmas splendor captivates throngs

People pose for photos with a panoramic view of the church from above.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral's Christmas splendor captivates throngs

Le Vy arrived nearly an hour early, waiting for the moment the church lights came on.

She said the whole space was bright and magical with thousands of lights.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral's Christmas splendor captivates throngs

Many people sit in front of the statue of Our Lady of Peace.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral's Christmas splendor captivates throngs

Many foreign tourists stroll around and enjoy the city center at night.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral's Christmas splendor captivates throngs

The holiday lighting display will remain on through early January, turning the landmark into one of the city’s most festive spots of the season.

 
 
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