Have you ever heard the information about the pink Church in Viet Nam, which has the name Tân Định?
Ho Chi Minh City is known as one of the two largest cities in Vietnam with a dense population, developed economy, attracting domestic and foreign tourism, especially with historical, cultural, and famous architectural landmarks in Southeast Asia.
When coming to Vietnam, in addition to the ancient capital of Hue with ancient temples and pagodas, Hanoi, the capital of a thousand years of civilization, Hoi An ancient town, retains the multicultural identity of an old commercial port or beautiful Da Nang with its beach. The sea stretches poetically; Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam attracts tourists from far away with its hospitality and rich cuisine, accompanied by beautiful landscapes. That’s right!
Suppose you have been to Sai Gon, also known as another name Ho Chi Minh City. In that case, you definitely cannot miss Tan Dinh Church, a beautiful and colorful Western architecture style in the hearts of a young city and also one of the oldest churches in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. On the left hand, this Church address at 289 Hai Ba Trung in Ho Chi Minh City is like a tourist symbol of the city with interesting historical stories, impressive architecture style, and timeless beauty. Get a tour inside this church with me now.
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A Brief History of Tan Dinh Church in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Considered one of the most beautiful and splendid churches in Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Dinh Church is ideal for traveling on weekends or major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year. The church has distinctive patterns and sculptures, colorful, attracting the sympathy of tourists at first sight. Along with Notre Dame Cathedrals in District 3 Ho Chi Minh, Tan Dinh Church is one of the 2 oldest and oldest churches in the magnificent city of Sai Gon. You can not ignore it in the list of places to visit on your Vietnam trip.
History of the Pink Church
Going along the streets of District 3 on the left hand, Sai Gon city, you will be surprised and attracted by a splendid and beautiful pink church in Hai Ba Trung Street in District 3. Tan Dinh Church in Ho Chi Minh City – needless to say – with its fascinating and magnificent appearance, visitors begin to be curious and learn about its history.
Going back to history, the story of Tan Dinh church in Ho Chi Minh dates back to 1874, and a Catholic delegation was born under the leadership of Father Donatien Éveillard (1835-1883). It was Éveillard, who directly supervised the construction of the first house with a total budget of about 15,000 piastres (38,000 Francs) and inaugurated in late 1876.
During this period, it could be said, one of Éveillard’s most outstanding merits was the establishment of a religious publishing house by the name of Imprimerie de la Mission. It is also a place to train and teach children or orphanage and boarding school from Sainte Enfance de Tan-Din to study and work in the publishing trade.
The parish priest of Éveillard was a man deeply loved and respected by the local people, died in 1883, and was buried in the church’s middle. Today, when you visit Tan Dinh church, you can still see his tombstone located here. By the early 1890s, the church and school buildings were no longer on the right track and kept for purposes, so Father Éveillard’s successor, Fr Louis-Eugène Louvet (1838-1900), held a lottery event to raise funds for the rebuilding of the places. For the most part, the architecture of Tan Dinh church today dates from about 1896 to 1898. Reconstruction and reconstruction of the church cost about 8,600 piastres (22,000 Francs).
During this period, the surrounding schools were also rebuilt. The École des Sourds-Muets de Tan-Dinh – the school for the deaf and mute children – was also opened in the middle of the church’s campus. By 1908, Sainte Enfance had an additional 10 French nuns and four Vietnamese nuns. The church also embraced a lot of children.
When the rebuilding of the church and restoration was underway in 1928-1929, a wealthy French parishioner François Haasz, Head of Engineering at Maison Larue, and Vietnam wife Anne Tong Thi Muc donate money to install the lavishly decorated Italian marble altars and the side altars today rank among the most prominent decorative features of any church in Saigon.
The information about this church, you can search on the website or the internet well. You also find a way to book a hotel in Viet Nam near it and how many hours you can explore this and save the photos on your tour trip.
Through much ups and downs of history, the church’s style is still intact with the statues on the left and right, the way to the entrance, the typical Gothic style with the Renaissance style, and Italy style.
Tan Dinh Church’s Architecture inside in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
The church is located on the busy and crowded Hai Ba Trung street of Saigon city in District 3 and the left hand when you go from District 1. Catch your eyes, and you will capture the full image of a clear and elegant pink church, coordinated with A bit of pure white color with curved dome architecture and sophisticated carvings in lines. Besides, the church’s solemn and tranquil atmosphere, plus the emotional echoing bells, unique splendor, and tranquility, make tourists admire.
According to the historical length, Tan Dinh church was started construction and expanded in stages, taking about 6-year from 1870 to 1876 to complete the whole. Looking at the whole, you can easily see its typical architectural style with Roman style, Gothic style, Baroque architecture style – a distinctive Western color style in houses and public buildings. In 1929, the church area was expanded, accompanied by a tower over 50 meters high.
In July 1926, the church was renovated and maintained to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the church’s inauguration. At this present, the bells tower was beautifully remodeled and repainted while the church was gently raised. Choosing the pink theme helps Tan Dinh Church stand out amid a busy and busy city, in the yellow sun and blue sky. On the left, you can see the primary school at present.
The attractions of this church are also located in a central tower and 2 narrow structures in front of the campus. On top of the central tower is a cross over 3 meters tall made of brass. There are also 5 large bells located inside the buildings, weighing up to 5.5 tons.
The remaining two small structures are also stuck with Western patterns style, light towers and air vents with stability, and flying. The hallway inside the church is quite spacious, with two massive pillars with a typical Gothic architecture style, the main altars’ entrance made of Italy’s precious marble. Statues of saints are placed on 2 sides, with female saints on the left and male saints on the right.
Although Tan Dinh church underwent many restoration and repair, the architecture and construction from ancient times are still preserved and preserved. You can travel to the church at any time because it is open all day. Depending on the week, the open-frequency varies slightly.
None other than that, it was Louvet who appointed a missionary named Jean-François-Marie Génibrel (1851-1914) to run the Imprimerie de la Mission.
In the following year, besides religious works, Génibrel produced many famous results and scholarly works; among them are Manuel de conversational Annamite-Français (1893), or Vonksaire Français-Annamite (1898), works Vonksaire Annamite-Français (1906) and ground-breaking careers of Dictionnaire Annamite-Français (1898). ). He spent 14 years researching and exploring. Génibrel also started to work on and write Dictionnaire Français-Annamite, but not yet completed and released.
The publisher continued to operate at Tan Dinh Church until 1951. Today, you can admire the church’s old works and printing technology at the St museum for many unique reasons. Joseph’s Seminary at 6 Ton Duc Thang, Ho Chi Minh City.
In 1928 – 1929, Tan Dinh church – sacred heart community was once again reconstructed and restored. At that time, the church was under the mandate of John Baotixita Nguyen Ba Tong (1868-1949), also the first famous pastor in Indochina, the first Vietnamese, responsible for and evangelizing the diocese of Phat Diem in Vietnam.
In this period, a 52.62-meter high six-bell octagon was built and added to the foyer leading into the front entrance to the buildings, plus a false ceiling was created in the middle of the upper space. Besides, a 1-story U-shaped extension is also built at the rear of the nave, thereby providing more room with extended successive wings on either side of the altar.
In 1949, the structural pillars in the navy were strengthened. In 1957, the church was refurbished and repainted with a lovely and fluttering pink color (salmon pink on the outside, strawberry, and cream on the inside). Since that time, the church has undergone some significant renovations. The former Sainte Enfance de Tan-Dinh buildings, next to the church, is still partially used by the Sisters of Saint-Paul de Chartres, but much of this area is now used as the campus the Middle School Hai Ba Trung study at 295 Hai Ba Trung.
Sisters of Saint-Paul de Chartres is an Apostolic Missionary Congregation; you continue to be committed to the main mission of Christ – the task of healing and liberation, children find a path of abundance and work in orphanage and boarding school. Women pay attention to the poor who lack material conditions as well as health conditions.
The Outside of Tan Dinh Church in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
The Sacred Hearts Church of Jesus is an area that has recently quickly attracted domestic and international tourists to travel here. What attractions catch visitors when coming here is the pink church, which looks very lovely, prominent in Saigon’s center.
Tan Dinh Church is made of Italian marble. From the outside, you will see the central tower and 2 auxiliary towers with 2 sides of a series of arched corridors that are roofed with fish scales, added with several delicate flowers, and angel statues around doorways. The main highlight is at the top of the tower is a cross made of bronze about 3m high, a symbol for Christians. The 2 sides of the sub-tower have a lot of light towers with graceful decorative vents.
The overall style is Gothic, but the detailed pages have a bit of Roman and Baroque. The entire building is painted pink, and the facade includes the main church and two auxiliary towers. On the top of the 52.6-meter high tower is a bronze cross 3 meters high. Inside was a five bell, with a total weight of 5.5 tons. The 2 sub-towers have flames, several windflower windows with beautiful but graceful patterns.
There are low-voltage houses interior with two rows of Gothic columns to the main marble altar, honoring the beauty a lot for the whole architecture. To the left of the column is where there are pedestals of saints; to the right is the saints’ pedestal. Tan Dinh Church has undergone many repairs and expansion in several different events but never erased the original architecture.
You can travel one-day tours around Sai Gon city, but of course, you cannot miss Tan Dinh church. The design style is eye-catching by beautiful colors. That is the ideal place for you to take beautiful photos and become the perfect photo spot for those who love church architectures with Gothic and Renaissance elements style.
The Inside of Tan Dinh Church in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Designed in Gothic style and Renaissance elements style, Tan Dinh Church consists of a space between or a large hall with a high dome-shaped roof – now hidden with false ceilings, separated from the arches of the aisle party and outer corridor style. The style of design also comes with a 3-story gallery with a shallow dome above.
The left and right of the church
You can see two conical chapels style protruding from the top of the mid-space near the entrance. The one on your right entering the church is dedicated to Mary and Joseph, while your left side is dedicated to St Theresa. Statues of saints and 14 crucifixes dating from 1890 are currently decorated on pillars outside the entrance.
Visit all-round, admire the architecture style of Tan Dinh church. Listen to the bells of the Cathedral humming from time to time, watch the distant sunset with the drifting clouds. Visitors can easily enjoy peaceful and gentle moments in the center of the noisy and bustling city.
One of the attractions of the church is the angel statue on the top to create a soft touch for the design and the light tower with the top of the building behind. Well, have some photos about here in the past, outside and inside of architectures with Gothic style and full color. You can search in some newspapers and see their style. Luckily, I have some photos of this church, and I will share it with you.
Tan Dinh Church’s Mass Schedule in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
It is an architectural work of local cultural value, but this is also one of the places to organize charity activities as well as a destination for religious people who come here to worship, pray for all good things, peace, or listen to the Sermons at the Church. It seems that visitors are sitting in a European church with a large space, bold classical. Please do forget to save photos of your trip. I love the left of the church with a lot of impressive statues.
It is more remarkable when it becomes one of the places attracting domestic and international tourists and a check-in destination to take photos of many young people; couples come here to visit and explore Tan Dinh Church.
Tan Dinh Church schedule
Address: Tan Dinh Church, 289 Hai Ba Trung, Ward 8, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Telephone number: 84 (0) 8 3829 0093
Email: vovananh@hcm.fpt.vn
Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM; 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM from Tuesday to Saturday
You can search the related information about churches on websites, or tours pages, and travel community in Vietnam.
Tan Dinh Church on Holidays
On major holidays of the year, Tan Dinh Church in Ho Chi Minh City is decorated with many colors style, and decorative works adorn the church’s splendor and attraction. The attraction of the church is heightened when the many unusual decorative items free visitors.
One of the church’s most significant holidays is Christmas on December 24 and 25 each year.
What are the extraordinary things in this Church on Christmas Eve?
These days, the 150-year-old church is decorated both inside and outside to celebrate Christmas. The main space of the church is decorated with pink lights style, sparkling when night falls. The 2 sides of the church with flashing lights spread across the spacious campus. Inside the cathedral shimmering with familiar Christmas symbols style such as stars, bells, pine trees …
There will be a prayer show and Christmas Eve Mass in the church lobby on the night of December 24. The sanctuary area is lavishly decorated with a large pine tree behind the statue of Jesus. Every day, Tan Dinh church holds masses regularly in the early morning and evening. Many church activities, such as concerts, hymns, attract many parishioners and visitors to participate. The choir team regularly performs many musical performances with the theme Noel style.
Near Christmas day, in addition to mass services, many parishioners also come to church in the evening to visit, pray, and sing hymns together. There is a small cave scene under the lord’s statue with arms outstretched at the church’s behind every year. Inside the cave is the statue of Jesus God, Mary’s statue, surrounded by 3 kings, some angels, and asses. In front of the church’s function rooms hung star-shaped led lights, symbolizing the Christmas season style, symbolizing God’s miracle. Every night, many people and tourists come to visit and take photos.
However, outside of Mass, people are not allowed inside. The fresh colors make this church in Ho Chi Minh City an exciting destination for tourists and young Saigon people and more bustling at Christmas. On Christmas Date, the church was beautiful and splendid. The children and their parents took the photos, stood in front of Jesus statue on the left of this church, and prayed for families.
Some notes when you choose the tours to explore the Pink Church in Sai Gon
- There are a few experiences when visiting a church:
- There are a few tours to Sai Gon directly, or you can refer to tours like a 1-day tour, 3-day 2-night tour, 1 5-day 4-night tour …
- Book a hotel in the center of Sai Gon for convenient transportation and sightseeing
- Take photos to save travel memories.
- Dress politely when entering the church
Summary of Tan Dinh Church
Tan Dinh Church (official name: Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Tan Dinh) is a Catholic church in Ho Chi Minh City, belonging to Tan Dinh parish. Tan Dinh Church and Notre Dame Cathedral are two churches built very early and have the most massive scale in this city. Tan Dinh is also at the top of famous churches in Vietnam with a characteristic pink color. The best experience of Tan Dinh church is located on significant holidays of the year.
You can travel to Vietnam in all seasons and, at any time do not miss this second church in Sai Gon. The attractions of this church are not only in the beautiful architecture but also in the community values. Read more about the history of this church; you will understand what I want to share.
Located at the top of the most beautiful and impressive churches in Vietnam, Tan Dinh is always a wonderful and exciting destination, a popular check-in places for Sai Gon City – Hồ Chi Min.h youth. Information about the church, you can find on its website, updated with opening and closing times by day and major holidays of the year.
Do you remember what the left and right are of the Church?
The column on the left is where there are statues of female saints, and on the right is the pedestal of male saints. Last week, I visited here with some friends. I also find a hotel for them during their stay in Vietnam next week for their tour trip. Well, they were quite surprised by this. In the past, the church was home to lots of unlucky children. That is a way to help the church stay active.
