Tan Dinh church 🇻🇳

You will find one of Ho Chi Minh City's most eye-catching landmarks at 289 Hai Bà Trưng Street: Tân Định Church, formally known as the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Located in District 3, this historic house of worship is famously nicknamed "the pink church" because both its exterior and interior have been painted a vibrant pastel-pink since 1957. Built during the French colonial era in the 1870s and completed on December 16, 1876, it stands as the second-largest church in the city, second only to Notre-Dame Basilica.

As you explore the grounds, you can admire its captivating architectural blend, which is primarily neo-Romanesque alongside distinct neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance design elements. Although it is not a cathedral, it serves as an active parish within the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City. The church gets its common name from the former Tân Định village area, sharing a title with the neighboring ward in District 1.

Whether you are drawn to its unique history from the French Indochina period or its distinctive colorful facade, visiting this Roman Catholic landmark offers you a memorable look into the city's rich architectural heritage.

What to see at Tan Dinh church

• Distinctive pastel-pink exterior and interior color scheme added in 1957
• Built during the French colonial period and completed in December 1876
• Neo-Romanesque architecture featuring neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance elements
• The second-largest church in Ho Chi Minh City after Notre-Dame Basilica

Visiting tips

Check for future transit access along Hai Bà Trưng Street, where Line 4 of the HCMC Metro was planned to run underground near Le Van Tam Park station.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Tan Dinh church is easy to reach on Ho Chi Minh City’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and Saigon Opera House. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Ho Chi Minh City travel guide.