Visit Hanoi ancient cathedrals in your Vietnam heritage tour
Hanoi is a charming and beautiful city with a lot of historical, cultural, and religious architectures, especially stunning ancient cathedrals — must-see destinations in your Vietnam heritage tour in this city. These cathedrals are also favorite sites of people in this capital city in Christmas holiday. Visiting Hanoi, you should explore these beautiful churches for an interesting Vietnam culture tour.
1. Thinh Liet Cathedral
Thinh Liet cathedral, also known as Tam village’s church, belongs to Bui family in Thinh Liet village. Bui family in Ke Set is one of the most famous families who contributed a lot of very important people to the nation in many feudal dynasties as well as in modern days during the 15th to early 20th centuries. They were important people, writers, and poets. who contributed a lot to the Vietnamese culture during those five centuries.
This cathedral is located at 111 Giap Bat, Hoang Mai District of Hanoi City. The Patron of this church is the Blessed Virgin of Mary. This church has about 2,500 Catholics. The Priestly Father of this church is the Father Joseph Nguyen Ngoc Hinh. The Holy Mass is 7 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m., 4.30 p.m., 7 p.m. on Sunday.
In the cathedral, there is a horizontal image of four words “Son Nam Vong Toc” written by the King Le Hien Tong, which mean an honorable family in Son Nam Town. At that time, Son Nam Town was a very big town, which includes five provinces of Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Ninh Binh, Ha Nam, and Ha Dong. This is one of the most famous sites you shouldn’t miss in your Vietnam off the beaten track tours in Hanoi.
2. The St Joseph’s Cathedral
This is one of the oldest structures in Hanoi, which has the least changes. The St Joseph’s Cathedral or the Big Church in Hanoi is located at 40 Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem district. It was built in three years, from 1884 to 1887. Since then, architecture has nearly not changed. This church was constructed according to the design of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.
This church is where many important Catholic ceremonies are held. The procession of the Holy Patron Saint — Judas — of Hanoi diocese also takes place in 19th of March annually in this cathedral.
The young in Hanoi usually come here for a cup of coffee every morning. This is a favorite place of Hanoi people which you should visit in your Vietnam heritage tour in Hanoi. As this church has beautiful scenery, fresh air, and peaceful atmosphere, especially at sunset and sunrise.
3. Northern Gate Church
The formal name of the cathedral in the Northern Gate of Hanoi is Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin of Saints. Now, they usually call it Blessed Virgin Cathedral. This church was built from 1925 to 1930 in the corner of Phan Dinh Phung and Nguyen Bieu Streets. The combination of Eastern architecture, traditional design of the Western church, and stunning natural scenery here make this church a really impressive and attractive destination.
As it’s located at the Northern Gate of the capital, people also call the Blessed Virgin Cathedral as Northern Gate Church. This beautiful church would be a nice destination on your Hanoi tour.
4. Ham Long Cathedral
Another must-see place in your Vietnam culture tours to Hanoi is Ham Long Cathedral — a Roman Catholic Church of Archdiocese of Hanoi. This is the main cathedral of Ham Long parish where many religious activities are held. This church was designed by a Vietnamese architect — Doctor Than from Ha Tay, studied abroad in France. The construction was completed in December of 1934. This church is 17m high, all the columns and altars in the church are decorated with rope-like designs like the Franciscan straps. The patron is St. Anthony’s Chapel.
Ham Long Cathedral has two front doors which look over Ham Long Street and Ngo Thi Nham Street. It’s considered as one of the most stunning cathedrals in Hanoi that you must visit in your culture tours in this city.
There are many other beautiful churches in Hanoi you should visit for an interesting culture tour in this pretty city. These heritages are not only beautiful but also valuable in the historical, cultural, and religious life of Hanoi people.
