Harmony of faith is the cultural and spiritual beauty of local people in Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City. Going to the pagoda in the morning and going to the church in the evening are natural activities that you can see in their daily life. Visiting some of the sacred spaces frequented by locals and expatriates is definitely an indispensable experience in your travel itinerary.

Notre Dame Cathedral

A timeless symbol in the heart of the city of Saigon, Notre Dame Cathedral inaugurated in Easter 1880 according to the project of architect Bourard, is the Mother Church of the diocese of Ho Chi Minh City. This monumental architecture was built in the Roman style with materials all brought from France. In 1959, the church was elevated to the rank of a basilica by the Vatican and blessed with a statue of the Queen of Peace placed in front. Locals, whether believers or not, often go to pray and light candles at the foot of the Queen of Peace's statue. Only once on the Lunar New Year's Eve, the set of 6 bells with Do-Re-Mi-Sol-La-Si sound made at Bolee (France) on 2 churches rang together.

Address: No. 1, Paris Commune Square, District 1.

The Jade Emperor Palace (Phuoc Hai Pagoda)

The shrine is the most beautiful ancient spiritual work in the South of Vietnam, built by the patriarch Luu Minh of overseas Chinese during 16 years and inaugurated in 1906. Exterior and interior art decoration at the palace follows a brilliant motif, worshiping the supreme deity, the Jade Emperor. More than 100 statues in the palace are made entirely of paper mache with a lively and majestic style but still contain gentleness and peace. There is also a shrine to the Mother of Birth and 12 midwives who are famous for their persuasive legends in the minds of local people. In 2016, US President Barack Obama visited the Jade Emperor Palace during his official visit to Vietnam.

Address: No. 2, Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.

Tomb of Le Van Duyet

The work includes the temple and tomb of Duc Thuong Cong Ta army Le Van Duyet (1764-1832) as Governor of Gia Dinh citadel, the founder of the country and god of the Nguyen dynasty. The mausoleum was built in 1848 and was built many years later with a dignified and splendid Hue royal art decoration style. Before 1975, the three-way gate at his mausoleum with three words Thuong Cong Mieu was chosen as the symbol of the old Saigon - Gia Dinh region. Locals worship and hold festivals at the mausoleum according to the ritual of a blessed god. On his death ceremony, the most special activity is the re-enactment of the ancient boi singing art of Gia Dinh citadel in the past.

Address: No. 1, Vu Tung Street, Ward 1, Binh Thanh District.

Park of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc

At this place, on June 11, 1963, Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc had self-immolated to protest the repressive regime of the contemporary authorities in the struggle for peace and religious equality in South Vietnam. The statue of Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc is cast in bronze, exuding a majestic and contemplative demeanor. Local people and tourists often come to offer flowers, incense and pray in front of the statue of the Bodhisattva. The relics of the Buddhist monk's eternal heart are still miraculously intact and are currently kept in a stupa on the grounds of Vietnam Quoc Tu in District 10.

Address: No. 185, Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3.