Top of the most impressive churches in Vietnam

From gothic stone cathedrals to elegant golden marble altars and pink facades, Vietnam is adorned with marvelous churches. The country’s architecture is based on years of French colonial styles combined with traditional oriental patterns that create an elegant combination of ancient and modern. Check out top of the most impressive churches in  Vietnam.

Phat Diem Cathedral, Ninh Binh province

This impressive cathedral, built in the mid-1880s, is located in Ninh Binh province and is completely carved from natural stone. The cathedral is in a quiet complex with a lake, a bell tower and several grottos. Inside you will find a red place of worship, elegantly decorated with golden elements, as well as large stone columns. Apparently, the preparatory phase lasted at least 10 years so that local residents could extract materials from the surrounding mountains.

Cua Bac Church, Hanoi

Although the official name is “Church of Martyrs”, the Cua Bac Church is considered a prime example of a marriage between European and Vietnamese architectural styles. Ernest Hebrard designed a building with elements of Art Deco style combined with Vietnamese tiles, and designed the church in harmony with the green. The result is a magnificent, diverse church.

Tan Dinh Church, Saigon

Admire the sight, I bet you’ve never seen it before: a light pink Gothic church in the Saigon’s District 3 area. This unique church is one of the city’s most underrated attractions. Its intense color is hard to miss and the interior is just as breathtaking. When Tan Dinh was reconstructed in 1929, the wealthy parishioner Francois Haas and his Vietnamese wife decorated the interior generously with Italian marble, creating a rich and elegant atmosphere. In order to give Tan Dinh a historical dimension, the founder of the church, Father Donatien Eveillard, was buried under the nave. Make sure you cross this beautiful church off your list of “see” in the beginning.

Hanh Thong Tay Church, Saigon

Hanh Thong Tay Church is nestled in lush trees and delicate flowers and offers a break from the vibrant center of Saigon. This Byzantine church has three Italian gold marble altars and intricate mosaics on the ceilings. The rare architectural style is an interesting sight, and it’s worth escaping the busy city center.

Church of Christ the King, Nha Trang

This church, built in 1928, is made of simple blocks of cement, but it’s a wonder to think about. The Church of Christ the King is in the upper part of the Nha Trang coast and has a striking appearance, but it’s the interior that is breathtaking. It impresses with its sweeping domes, rose doors and a multitude of stained-glass windows that represent Catholic saints. It is usually called the “Mountain Cathedral”. So if you ask the locals to find a church, be sure to include a pseudonym.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hanoi

St. Joseph’s Cathedral is the oldest church in Hanoi, construction of which began in 1886. It is designed to imitate the Parisian colleague (Notre Dame de Paris). St. Joseph’s Cathedral is held several times a day, with every open-air mass broadcasting to anyone who cannot enter, which leads to a regular, large crowd in massive time. The cathedral was built in the Gothic style and consists of granite slabs and magnificent stained-glass windows that were sent to Hanoi from France. Since St. Joseph is an important tourist destination, there are several western souvenir shops and restaurants nearby.

Basilica of Immaculate Conception, Phu Nhai

This basilica is another amazing architectural wonder in Vietnam. The cathedral is 30 meters high and surrounded by two tall bell towers, each with four bells. Each bell weighs two tons. Strict decor is enough to admire the outside, but like in many Vietnamese churches, the inside is even more amazing. The huge vaulted ceiling is painted light yellow, with accents on white columns and classic stained-glass windows that give the cathedral a romantic glow when the sun sets on windows that go down the horizon.

Notre-Dame Basilica, Saigon

This list would not be completed without the most famous church in Vietnam! Every day there are crowds of tourists with selfie sticks, newlyweds and their professional photographers, as well as residents who camp near the basilica and sell souvenirs. The red bricks that adorned the facade were sent from Marseille to Saigon, which attracted great attention as they were unique at the time. Although it is one of the best tourist destinations in the country, an extensive renovation is currently underway in 2019. However, the English and Vietnamese services continue to take place every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. A tour of the cathedral is currently being prepared.

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