10 most famous churches in Vietnam

Vietnam is known as a country with not only beautiful landscapes but also impressive architecture. Churches with unique architecture are still the pride of every locality in Vietnam.

1. Sapa Stone Church, Lao Cai

Located in a prime location: in front of Ham Rong mountain, this stone church is a must-see destination during the trip to Sapa.

The church was built as a cross of Roman Gothic architecture, represented in the roof, the bell tower, and the dome. The church was made of cut stones, linked together by a mixture of sand, lime and molasses.

2. St. Joseph Cathedral in Hanoi

Depicted with features of European Gothic architecture like high walls, a dome and numerous windows, St. Joseph Cathedral on Nha Chung Street (Hanoi) appears in many tourism and wedding photos.

The area near the church has become familiar to many Hanoians and tourists. They often come there to have coffee or lemon tea and chat with friends.

>> Read more: Hanoi city and its old quarter

3. Phat Diem Cathedral, Ninh Binh

Phat Diem Cathedral is located on an area of 22 hectares in Kim Son district, one of the must-see attractions in Ninh Binh, about 120 km from Hanoi. This building is a unique work due to the combination of European architecture and traditional temples in Vietnam.

>> Read more: The 11 must-see attractions of Ninh Binh

The architectural ensemble of Phat Diem includes, in addition to the main building, five chapels, two caves, a campanile (called Phuong Dinh), two entrances and a calvary. The interior of the church has many sophisticated reliefs with chrysanthemum, bamboo, fir and apricot trees which symbolize four seasons in one year.

4. Wooden Church, Kontum

The century-old church is a prominent destination in Kontum town with an imposing bell tower, peaked roof, arched doorways and large round columns. The cathedral features Roman architecture and the decorative designs, wood carvings have a feel of indigenous culture.

The walls and roof of the church are made of clay and straw. Inside the church, the system of pillars made of precious wood of the highest resistance illustrates motifs of the ethnic minorities of Tay Nguyen, which gives a mythical but close the indigenous effect.

5. Buon Ho Church, Dak Lak

Similar in architectural style to Ho Chi Minh City's Notre-Dame Cathedral, Buon Ho's St. Joseph Church is located on a hillside, on a spacious campus, overlooking Highway 14.

This Gothic-style building, with a dome covering the sanctuary and imposing twin bell towers, has long become a leading destination in the central highlands.

6. Nha Trang Christ the King Cathedral

At 12 m above sea level in the center of Nha Trang City is Christ the King Cathedral (also known as Stone Church, Nha Trang Church, and Nga Sau Church). Listed among the top 10 things to do in Nha Trang, this monument was built in the style of Western Catholic churches.

>> Read more: Top 10 things to do in Nha Trang

The cathedral, pleasantly located on a hilltop in this seaside town, has remarkable stained glass windows depicting saints and episodes from the life of Jesus.

From a distance, it looks like an ancient gray slate castle. It is open to visitors on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. and always holds morning and afternoon masses.

7. Domaine de Marie, Lam Dong

The Domaine de Marie (Vietnamese: Mai Anh) is a Catholic convent located in Dalat, Vietnam built from 1930 to 1940 by the French.

The church is a harmonious combination of Western architectural styles with the folk architecture of the ethnic minorities of the Central Highlands.

Today, some Vietnamese Sisters care for disabled children and sell fruits and sweets, as well as handicrafts.

8. St. Nicholas Cathedral of Dalat

St. Nicholas Cathedral is the largest, oldest and most beautiful church in Dalat, Lam Dong, often referred to informally by locals as the "Rooster Church" due to the shape of a large chicken at the top of the tower.

The building was built by the French in the 1930s in a neo-Romanesque style, and the interior decoration was not completed until 1942.

9. Notre-Dame Cathedral, Saigon

Notre-Dame Cathedral is a unique architectural work from the French colonial period designed by architect J. Bourard. All the construction materials: cement, steel and screws were brought from France.

The exterior of the building is made of Marseille bricks, unplastered and still in bright colors. From July 2017, the church entered a restoration phase, planned over 2 years.

>> Read more: Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the history of a beautiful church

10. Tac Say Church, Bac Lieu

Tac Say Church located in the Gia Rai District has 3 floors: the ground floor is for pilgrims, and the second and third floors are the place to celebrate mass.

This monument is also known as Father Diep Church because it is the resting place of Father Truong Buu Diep. The place where the tomb is located is structured like a large building with 3 roofs. The middle roof is higher than two eaves, with a large clock attached to create a highlight for the building.

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