Tan Dinh, “The Pink Church” is a fixture for the Instagram crowd. The hop-on/hop-off bus will stop here. Tan Dinh Church Address: 289 Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Hours: Daily 5:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Mass times vary
Standing prominently in District 3, Tan Dinh Church is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most distinctive religious buildings, immediately recognizable by its striking pink facade. Built between 1870 and 1876 during the French colonial period, the church was designed by French architects and constructed under the supervision of Father Donatien Éveillard.
The church’s architecture follows the Romanesque style with Gothic influences, typical of European religious buildings from the late 19th century. The structure spans 60 meters in length and 22 meters in width, with its bell towers reaching approximately 52 meters high. The pink exterior paint, which has become the church’s trademark feature, was added during later renovations, making it stand out among Vietnam’s religious architecture.
The facade features twin bell towers topped with crosses, each containing five bells cast in France in 1875. The central entrance is marked by an impressive rose window and crowned with a large cross. The exterior walls display intricate relief work, including religious symbols, decorative columns, and arched windows typical of Romanesque architecture.
Inside, the church spans three naves separated by two rows of columns. The central nave rises higher than the side aisles, creating a traditional basilica layout. The interior maintains much of its original French colonial character, with 40 colorful stained glass windows imported from France depicting biblical scenes and saints. These windows allow natural light to filter through, creating an ethereal atmosphere within the sacred space.
The church’s ceiling features elaborate rib vaulting, painted in white and gold, while the walls are decorated with statues of saints and religious paintings. The main altar, crafted from high-quality marble, is adorned with gold leaf details and religious sculptures. Two side altars complement the main one, creating a harmonious spiritual focal point.
Notable interior features include an original pipe organ from 1895, still functional today, and ornate wooden confessionals dating back to the church’s construction. The stations of the cross, rendered in relief work, line the side walls, while the floor features intricate geometric patterns in traditional tiles.
The church compound includes a garden area with a Marian grotto, providing a peaceful space for prayer and reflection. A separate building houses the parish offices and living quarters for the clergy. The courtyard features several statues of religious figures and provides a gathering space for the congregation before and after services.
Over its history, Tan Dinh Church has undergone several renovations, with the most significant occurring in the 1930s and again in the 1990s. During these restorations, efforts were made to preserve the original architectural elements while updating necessary infrastructure. The distinctive pink color, which has made the church a popular photography subject, was maintained through each renovation.
The church continues to serve an active Catholic community, conducting daily masses in Vietnamese. Special services are held during significant religious celebrations, particularly during Christmas and Easter, when the church draws larger crowds of both worshippers and tourists.
For photographers, the best times to capture the church’s exterior are during early morning or late afternoon when the sunlight enhances the pink hues of the facade. The interior is most photogenic during mid-morning when sunlight streams through the stained-glass windows, creating colorful light patterns on the floor and walls.
Visitors should note that, as an active place of worship, appropriate dress and respectful behavior are required. Photography is generally permitted inside the church, but flash photography is prohibited during services.
It’s tricky to photograph as you need a wide-angle lens but there is very little space in front of the church leading to extreme distortion. There is a nice restaurant and bar across the street (Ola) where you can get more level with the church and enjoy a great happy hour!
You are not allowed to enter the grounds on Saturday or Sunday, and they are closed for 2 hours at lunch time. The interior is only open during service and guards will discourage you from entering to photograph. Your best bet is to arrive around 1/2 hour before or just after a dawn service.
