The repair of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon is 50% complete and expected to last until 2027. The walls have been cleaned, and part of the roof has been replaced.
The Notre Dame Basilica of Saigon in District 1 has been undergoing renovations for the past six years. Initially, it was anticipated that the project would be finished this year. However, the Covid-19 pandemic created supply problems from Europe and drove up costs by 30–40% because it lasted for more than two years.
Father Ignatio Ho Van Xuan, leader of the restoration department, said, "When re-evaluating with the restoration unit from Belgium, we agreed that the restoration process cannot be rushed but needs to be done very carefully to ensure the longevity of the church."
In contrast to 2017, a fence around three meters high now encircles the whole church. For restoration purposes, a 60-meter-high scaffolding was installed on the front side of the structure.
Jules Bourard, a French architect, built the church. Construction began in 1877 and took three years to complete. The Notre Dame Basilica of Saigon was classified as a Basilica by the Vatican since 1959.