How to Visit Tan Dinh Church, Ho Chi Minh City’s Pink Church
Here’s how to visit Ho Chi Minh City‘s famed Pink Church, Tan Dinh.
You will have seen countless pictures of Ho Chi Minh City’s flamboyant pink church, Tan Dinh Church on Instagram and, if you haven’t, you probably will.
Set in Ho Chi Minh City’s unassuming District 3, amongst nondescript low-rise apartments and office spaces, Tan Dinh Church is a statement in pink, a defiant burst of joy in a city that has seen its fair share of history's darker chapters.
Built during French colonial rule in Neo-Romanesque & Gothic Revival style, its been a place for Saigon’s small group of catholic worshippers ever since. Now, a new type of worship occurs, those keen to photograph and film its colourful hues for Instagram - the church has blown up in popularity in the last few years and is arguably well on its way to becoming one of the most popular attractions in Saigon.
Now, long-time readers will know we’re not religious by any means, nor do we necessarily seek out religious sites on our travels, but we do make exceptions on occasion, and Tan Dinh Church, is one such exception. Lured by the absurdly colourful facade and the opportunity to capture all its beauty in the fading afternoon light, we photographed it from street level to that bougainvillea-covered view (more on that below).
The church itself is stunning, with its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses a highlight, but the Pantone-hued exterior’s uniqueness makes it one of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.
This short guide to Tan Dinh Church helps you plan your trip, find the best photography locations, and when to find the best light.
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HOW TO VISIT TAN DINH CHURCH
WHERE | District 3, Ho Chi Minh City (map)
HOW TO GET THERE | Grab from District One, or elsewhere in the city
ENTRANCE FEE | Free
OPENING HOURS | 8 am - 12 pm, and 2 pm - 5 pm - no entry during mass
FOR PHOTOS | Head to Cong Caphe, opposite the church
HISTORY OF TAN ĐÌNH CHURCH, SAIGON, AND WHY IT’S PAINTED PINK
Tan Dinh Church serves as a historical remnant of the French colonial era in Saigon - after all, why else would there be a towering catholic church in the middle of a Buddhist-majority country?
Constructed between 1870 and 1876 during the French colonial era in a flamboyant Neo-Romanesque & Gothic Revival style, Tan Dinh Church was designed to meet the spiritual needs of the local Catholic community who yearned for a place to offer their prayers.
With pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, the church features a style that was all the rage in Europe at the time and was transported to Vietnam by French architects with a keen eye for blending in with the colourful surroundings, hence its brightly coloured exterior.
Throughout the years, the church has undergone several renovations, each time preserving its distinctive pink hue which distinguishes it from other historical churches in Vietnam, such as the minimalist St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi.
As is the case with a digital-led modern society, the church has become somewhat of an Instagram location in the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City, drawing local and international photographers keen to capture its unique colour and style.
WHERE IS TAN ĐÌNH CHURCH, AND HOW TO GET THERE
Tan Dinh Church is located in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3 (map), just a short drive away/walk away from the main attractions of District 1, including Saigon Post Office, Independence Palace and Notre Dame Church.
There are many ways to get to Tan Dinh Church, which we’ve listed below:
GRAB OR TAXI | Grab is a lifesaver in Asia, and the easiest and most efficient way of getting around, so you suggest visiting Tan Dinh Church using this service.
For reference, we took a car from downtown and it cost us 20,000 VND. These services are widely available throughout Ho Chi Minh City, so download the App and book away
PUBLIC BUS | Ho Chi Minh City has an extensive public bus network, and several bus lines stop near Tan Dinh Church from Pasteur St in District 1 (map). Look out for lines 31 or 36, and expect a 20-minute
WALKING | If you're staying in District 1 or nearby areas, walking to Tan Dinh Church is an easy option, and you can stop by various attractions on the way. The walk from District 1 to the church can take about 20-30 minutes, depending on your starting point and pace
HOW TO VIEW TAN ĐÌNH CHURCH
Let’s be honest, if you’re reading this post, you’re keen to know where to get that photograph for Instagram - the one from a balcony with those oh-so-gorgeous bougainvillea colours. No shame, we did the same!
We searched high and low to find the exact place, and after a bit of sleuthing and Google mapping, we realised that exact location - Cong Caphe Hai Bà Trung (map), located almost opposite Tan Dinh Church.
If you’re unaware, Cong Caphe is a popular coffee chain in Vietnam, that serves excellent coffee (obviously) and is a place to escape the heat. The upper story of Cong Caphe Hai Bà Trung has a bougainvillea-covered balcony with overlooks Hai Bà Trung Street and Tan Dinh Church, offering the best view of the church and surroundings.
This is the spot where you can get that shot through the bougainvillea behind. Due to the popularity of the viewpoint, you now have to buy a drink before you go upstairs - this is strictly enforced by the staff so just be aware when you enter. Fortunately, the coffee is cheap and tasty, so it’s a win-win in our eyes.
Alternatively, the newly opened Ola Hale restaurant and bar (map), adjacent to Cong Caphe, offers similar views without the bougainvillea and the crowds (at the time of writing). It is a restaurant (it’s super modern and cool), so you might need to be a little more chill, but if you arrive around 4 pm, you can enjoy a nice meal/cocktail, and snap some beautiful shots at sunset.
In our opinion though, the best view of the church is directly across the road and the side street where Cong Caphe is situated (Đinh Công Tráng). From here, you can take photos from multiple angles to bring the church facade to life, as well as place a subject in the frame.
Finally, you can enter the church grounds (during opening hours) and take photos within the precinct.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT TAN ĐÌNH CHURCH
When you visit Tan Dinh Church is defined by why you wish to see it.
Want some cool Instagram photos? Head there between 3 and 4:30 pm for a good balance of light, colour and shade. It is the most popular time to visit and photograph, so expect some crowds.
Alternatively, head there in the early morning for some soft, golden light, and an all-round better experience.
Unfortunately, the church is shrouded in shade around sunset, so the colours don’t pop as well as other times of the day.
If you’re just coming to see the uniquely colourful church, take a few photos, grab a coffee and move on, then any time of day works for a visit.
TAN ĐÌNH CHURCH TICKET PRICE AND OPENING TIMES
Ho Chi Minh’s pink church is free for the public to visit and sightsee.
The opening hours depend on many things but don’t expect to be allowed inside - from the research we’ve done, and from our own experience, the opening hours can vary from day to day, hour to hour.
Officially, Tan Dinh Church is open from 8 am - 12 pm, and 2 pm - 5 pm. However, visitors are not allowed inside the church during mass hours, which are as follows: Weekday Masses: 5 am, 6:15 am, 5:30 pm, 7 pm, Sunday Masses: 5 am, 6:15 am, 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 7 pm.
If you’re just coming to see the exterior and get some photographs, well, you’re free to visit at any time of day!
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