The blessed gilded cross, bell tower and zinc tower at Notre Dame Cathedral will be completed in April 2026.

Thánh giá mạ vàng được làm phép, tháp chuông và tháp kẽm ở nhà thờ Đức Bà sẽ xong vào tháng 4-2026 - Ảnh 1. — The blessing ceremony for the two gilded crosses at Notre Dame Cathedral - Photo: VAN TRUNG

December 8 is very special for Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon) because on this day Archbishop Giuse Nguyen Nang conducts the ceremony of blessing two gold-plated crosses.

Gold-plated crosses can last up to 100 years.

Father Ignatius Ho Van Xuan, Vicar General and head of the Notre Dame Cathedral restoration committee, said that the two gold-plated crosses were crafted by the Monument Group in Ingelmunster (Belgium). The Giusto Manetti company in Florence (Italy), which dates back to 1600 and specializes in supplying ultra-thin gold leaf, performed the gold plating on the two crosses.

Each gilded cross is 3.73m high, 1.85m wide, and weighs 400kg.

“European churches use gold-plated crosses. Gold-plated crosses are not considered “luxury”. The gold layer on the outside helps protect the cross over time. The lifespan of these two gold-plated crosses can be up to 100 years,” explained Father Ho Van Xuan.

The two bell towers and two zinc towers are the most important structures that suffered the most severe damage. To date, Notre Dame Cathedral has undergone eight years of restoration. The major restoration project of Notre Dame Cathedral began on July 1, 2017, and was undertaken by Monument Group (Belgium).

Nhà thờ Đức Bà - Ảnh 2. — Priest Ignatius Ho Van Xuan shares about two gold-plated crosses - Photo: VAN TRUNG

Priest Ho Van Xuan added that the restoration committee is continuing to work hard to complete the restoration of the two bell towers and two zinc towers by March or April 2026.

During this time, the two gilded crosses are prominently displayed inside Notre Dame Cathedral for people to admire and photograph until March 2026.

The two crosses are protected by Plexiglas (Acrylic) which is lighter and more transparent, and will not be glared when taking pictures. After the restoration of the two zinc towers is completed, the two crosses will be placed on top of the two zinc towers.

Nhà thờ Đức Bà - Ảnh 3. — Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang performs the ritual of blessing the Cross - Photo: VAN TRUNG

Major renovation project cannot be completed by 2027

The head of the Notre Dame Cathedral restoration committee said that in June 2023, the cathedral brought the two old crosses on top of the two zinc towers down to the ground after 128 years of presence, moving many people, including him.

After the survey, these two crosses were rusted and badly damaged, and could not be restored. Therefore, Father Ho Van Xuan asked Archbishop Giuse Nguyen Nang for permission to order two new crosses.

Nhà thờ Đức Bà - Ảnh 4. — Two gold-plated crosses - Photo: VAN TRUNG

"We ordered two new crosses from June 2023. In April 2025, I was invited to Belgium to see the two crosses after they were made.

"After completion, the two crosses were transported for five weeks from Belgium to Cai Mep port, and then brought to the Notre Dame Cathedral grounds on October 10th," Father Ho Van Xuan shared.

Up to this point, workers are still busy with construction, but many items are damaged and seriously degraded, combined with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the major renovation project cannot be completed by 2027 as planned.

2025 is a Holy Year (normally a Holy Year returns every 25 years) so the Christmas decorations will be different. The display of two gilded crosses for people to admire is also special.

The church is lit by 1,000km of LED lights.

According to the chief restoration board Notre Dame Cathedral, from November 29 to December 7, LED lights open from 6:45 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day.

From December 8, 2025 to January 5, 2026, the lights will be on each day from 6:45 PM to 2:00 AM the following morning.