Top 5 churches in Vietnam attract tourists

With unique and ancient architecture, top five churches in Vietnam have attracted a wide range of international and domestic visitors.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral
Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

The top 5 comprise: the Sa Pa Stone Church, Phu Nhai Church (Nam Dinh Province), Phat Diem Cathedral (Ninh Binh Province), Hanoi Cathedral, and Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral.

The SaPa Stone Church

The Sa Pa Stone Church has been nominated by the Vietnam Records Book Centre (VietKings) as one of the top five over 100-year-old churches in Vietnam.

It is a unique and attractive spiritual tourism destination. Located in downtown Sa Pa, with Ham Rong Mountain behind, this Roman Gothic architecture church was built with a distinct pyramid rooftop, belfry, and arches. Covering 6,000sq.m, the stone church includes 7 compartments, a 20m belfry with a 1.5-meter bell, weighing 500 kilograms.

Hanoi Cathedral

Hanoi Cathedral, also known as Saint Joseph's Cathedral, is the oldest Roman Catholic churches in Hanoi.

It was inaugurated on Christmas Day 1886, two years after its construction. Its design is similar to the architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Hanoi Cathedral is 64.5m in length, 20.5m in width with two bell towers at 31.5m tall. Though the appearance of the cathedral—the doors, colourful window glass, religious paintings for decoration—follows Western style, the main interior is decorated in a Vietnamese style with yellow and red. In front of the cathedral is the statue of Mother Maria.

Phu Nhai Church

The church, which is located in Xuan Phuong Commune, Xuan Truong District, was first built in 1866 as a small temple, but was later renovated and expanded.

It is considered the biggest church of Gothic architecture in Vietnam, at 30m high, 28m wide and 80m long.

There are 2 bell towers at 44m tall, containing 4 bells. It has statues stuck on the surface of the walls and doors.

Phat Diem Stone Cathedral

Phat Diem Cathedral, located in Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province, is one of the most famous and beautiful churches in Vietnam with special architecture— an elegant combination between Western church architecture style and Vietnamese religious buildings.

It took 24 years to build this church, from 1875 to 1898. As its name suggests, it was completely built of stone and wood readily available in the mountainous area of Ninh Binh.

Ninh Binh province and Japanese researchers are completing documents on Phat Diem cathedral’s architecture to submit to UNESCO for recognition as a world cultural heritage site.

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

Built by French architect Bourard from 1877 to 1880, Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral has two bell towers, reaching a height of over 57 meters.

The French-influenced design of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral still acts as a stop for people who seek old beauty and calm. Not only do followers pray under candle light in front of Virgin Mary statue everyday, but tourists and local people also come here to discover the true soul of the city.

Hanoi Times
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