On March 19, workers used a specialised crane to lift the 400kg crosses more than 60 metres onto the bell tower of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral.
The installation was witnessed by Marek Zalewski, the Vatican’s resident representative in Vietnam, and Archbishop Nguyen Nang.
Each cross, standing 3.7 metres tall, was crafted and gold-plated in Belgium over two years before being shipped to Ho Chi Minh City.
Robin Deketelaere, an international expert involved in the project, said crosses in Europe typically last around 50 years, but those made for the cathedral are expected to have a lifespan of at least a century.
He described the installation as a special moment for the team, marking the completion of a key religious symbol for the Catholic community.
According to Father Ho Van Xuan, head of the restoration committee, each cross will be fitted with a pure copper lightning rod at its peak.
The event drew large crowds of parishioners and visitors, reflecting widespread interest in the restoration of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
The installation marks a new phase in the cathedral’s restoration, which has been under way for nine years.
The original metal crosses were removed in March 2023 after severe corrosion made them beyond repair.