Notre-Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City Receives Gilded Crosses in Restoration Milestone

Ho Chi Minh City’s iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral has reached a significant milestone in its ongoing restoration with the installation of two new, gilded crosses atop its spires on March 19, 2026. The event, attended by prominent religious leaders, marks a crucial step in preserving the cathedral’s historical and cultural significance for future generations.

Restoration Efforts and New Crosses

The installation of the crosses, each weighing approximately 400 kg (882 lbs) and standing 3.73 meters (12.24 feet) tall, signifies a major advancement in the cathedral’s restoration process. Crafted from solid steel in Belgium, the crosses are coated with a thin layer of gold to enhance corrosion resistance and maintain the structure’s solemn appearance. The cylindrical, lily-shaped bases, exceeding 50 cm in height, are made of gold-plated zinc with intricately curved petals.

According to Father Ignatius Ho Van Xuan, Head of the Restoration Committee, the restoration is being conducted to European standards, utilizing materials sourced from Europe to ensure the cathedral’s longevity. “We are restoring Notre Dame Cathedral according to European standards, using materials from Europe so that the cathedral can last for hundreds of years for future generations to enjoy,” he stated.

A Five-Month Journey and Blessing Ceremony

The crosses completed a five-month sea journey, arriving at the port and reaching the church on October 18, 2025. Prior to their installation, a solemn blessing ceremony was held on December 8, 2025, presided over by Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City as reported by Vietbao.

Historical Context and Replacement of Original Crosses

The replacement of the crosses became necessary due to severe rust and damage to the original zinc spire crosses, which had stood atop the cathedral for 128 years, since 1895. Father Ignatius Ho Van Xuan received approval from Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng to install the new crosses after determining the originals were irreparable according to Vietnam.vn.

Attendance and Significance

The March 19th installation ceremony was attended by Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, Archbishop Marek Zalewski, Resident Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam, and Father Ignatius Ho Van Xuan as reported by Vietnam.vn. The completion of the installation not only restores the cathedral’s appearance but likewise reaffirms the symbolic importance of the cross, deeply connected to the religious and cultural life of Ho Chi Minh City.

About Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng

Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng, born in 1953, has served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Saigon since October 2019 and is also the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam according to Wikipedia.