HO CHI MINH CITY (LiCAS News): Two newly gilded crosses were placed atop the twin towers of Ho Chi Minh City’s Notre Dame Cathedral on March 19, restoring a prominent sign of Christian faith to the city skyline after years of restoration work.
The installation took place on the Solemnity of St. Joseph and marks a significant milestone in the cathedral’s restoration, reinstating a religious symbol long associated with the city’s spiritual life.
Church leaders and restoration teams looked on as cranes lifted the crosses over 57 metres above the ground, securing them atop the zinc-clad towers, according to the Vietnamese Bishops’ Conference.
Archbishop Marek Zalewski, the Vatican’s non-resident representative to Vietnam, said the return of the crosses carries profound spiritual meaning after their removal in 2023 for restoration.
The archbishop described it as “a sign of faith placed in the heart of the city, directing people toward the mystery of the Cross of Christ.”
He also referred to the Church as being built from “living stones,” saying each believer contributes through faith and charity.
“When we know how to live in forgiveness, care for the poor and practice the gospel, the Church is manifested in the concrete life of the community of believers,” he said.
Archbishop Zalewski said the cross points to both sacrifice and resurrection. “From this, people are invited to recognise that suffering is not the end, but love and hope still open a path forward,” he said.
The archbishop urged the faithful to protect faith, family and community life through humility and fidelity.
“As St. Joseph cooperated in God’s plan, each person is also invited to participate in building up the Church through his or her own life,” he said.
Workers first installed the cross on the tower facing a nearby school, then placed the second on the tower facing the central post office. Engineers and specialists from abroad and Vietnam oversaw the process.
Each cross stands more than 3.7 metres tall and weighs approximately 400 kilogrammes. Crafted from steel and covered with gold leaf to withstand tropical conditions, the crosses were produced in Belgium according to the original design.
The project follows several years of technical study, including structural checks, 3D scanning and material analysis. The original crosses, which had stood for nearly 130 years, were removed in March 2023 after serious deterioration was discovered.
Built between 1877 and 1880, the cathedral remains one of the city’s best-known landmarks. Restoration efforts have encompassed the roof, framework and bell towers.
The return of the crosses restores a visible symbol of faith in the city and highlights the enduring presence of the Church in communal life.
Restoration work continues, with Church leaders expressing hope that the cathedral will remain a place where faith is lived and shared.
