Hanoi Cathedral

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Introduction

A Gothic corner in the heart of the Old Quarter

St. Joseph's Cathedral, commonly called Hanoi Cathedral, was built in the late 19th century on the site of the former Bao Thien Pagoda. The project was completed in 1886, and the inauguration ceremony was held at Christmas in 1887. The church's architecture is Gothic, with two tall bell towers, stained-glass windows, and distinctive pointed arches.

Today, the appeal of Hanoi Cathedral is not only in its architectural history. The area around the church is one of the corners of Hanoi with a very distinctive rhythm of life: small streets, cafes, eateries, and streams of passersby create a clear contrast between the old religious building and modern urban life.

Contents

Introduction
Story
Don't miss

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Story

01Don't miss

Stand in the square in front of the church to observe the full facade and the two bell towers.
Step inside when there is a suitable activity to feel the height of the vaults and the light through the stained glass.
Walk around the Nha Chung area to see the church change with the perspective of the small streets.
Spend time in the surrounding neighborhood , where old architecture and Hanoi's coffee culture meet.

02Two bell towers soaring in the heart of Hanoi

From the front, the two square towers form the most recognizable feature of Hanoi Cathedral. In between are a rose window and a stone cross. Gray walls, pointed arched windows, and symmetrical lines give it an appearance very different from most of the surrounding Old Quarter architecture. The church is about 64.5 m long and 20.5 m wide; the two bell towers are about 31.5 m high according to Hoan Kiem tourism materials.

The two bell towers and rose window form the church's distinctive Gothic facade. Photo: collected

03Impressive colors in the glass panes

The interior feels completely different from the street outside. Stained-glass windows combined with high vaults bring light into the church, while Gothic columns and lines draw the eye upward. This is a suitable place to observe architectural details rather than only photographing the entire facade.

The stained-glass panes let natural light create different patches of color inside the church. Photo: collected

04Traces of Bao Thien Pagoda: another layer of history

The site of today's Hanoi Cathedral was once associated with Bao Thien Pagoda, a famous Buddhist structure of the Thang Long capital built during the Ly dynasty. It is the changes to this land over many centuries that make this place not only tell the story of late 19th-century Catholic architecture but also connect to an older layer of Hanoi's history.

05Around Nha Tho Street is a very everyday Hanoi

When visiting Hanoi Cathedral, you can start with a loop around the Nha Chung area, stopping at long-established shops to try com xoi, autumn green rice, egg coffee, or banh goi. If you go during Christmas, the evening is the busiest time in the area in front of the church, with a Christmas tree, nativity scene, lights, and crowds coming to visit and take photos. On ordinary days, you can go inside the church while it is open, spend a few minutes admiring the Gothic architectural space, and then continue walking to Au Trieu Street, Nha Chung, and the surrounding Old Quarter.

Hanoi Cathedral becomes the ideal hangout spot for young people during Christmas. Photo: collected

Hanoi Cathedral

Introduction

More Other places

Gioi Duc Pagoda (Hong An Temple)

Story

01Don't miss

02Two bell towers soaring in the heart of Hanoi

03Impressive colors in the glass panes

04Traces of Bao Thien Pagoda: another layer of history

05Around Nha Tho Street is a very everyday Hanoi

Hai Giac Pagoda

Phuong Bang Pagoda (Hung Long)

Sung An Pagoda, also known as Sung Khang Pagoda (Dong Ba Pagoda)

Introduction

More Other places

Gioi Duc Pagoda (Hong An Temple)

Story

01|Don't miss

02|Two bell towers soaring in the heart of Hanoi

03|Impressive colors in the glass panes

04|Traces of Bao Thien Pagoda: another layer of history

05|Around Nha Tho Street is a very everyday Hanoi

Hai Giac Pagoda

Phuong Bang Pagoda (Hung Long)

Sung An Pagoda, also known as Sung Khang Pagoda (Dong Ba Pagoda)

01Don't miss

02Two bell towers soaring in the heart of Hanoi

03Impressive colors in the glass panes

04Traces of Bao Thien Pagoda: another layer of history

05Around Nha Tho Street is a very everyday Hanoi