St. Joseph’s Cathedral is the oldest church in Hanoi. The church has survived two brutal wars and continues to stand quietly in the middle of the busy city of Hanoi. It has seen many highs and lows throughout the years. Every Indochina travel must include a visit to the well-known historical attraction, St. Joseph’s Cathedral. It is among the earliest architectural creations in Indochina created by the French colonial authority. Almost all of Hanoi was destroyed in violent conflicts, but amazingly, St. Joseph’s Cathedral has survived. Nowadays, hundreds of residents and visitors visit it daily to take in its striking architecture and illustrious past.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral Hanoi Address
The Old Quarter of Hanoi is home to St. Joseph’s Cathedral, which is located at the crossroads of Nha Chung, Ly Quoc Su, and Nha Tho Streets. The church, which is near Hoan Kiem Lake, has two bell towers and stained glass windows.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral may be reached with relative ease. Proceed on Hang Gai Street from Hoan Kiem Lake until you reach Ly Quoc Su Street on the left. Once you reach the end of Ly Quoc Su Street, you will see the Cathedral.
There are several ways for you to travel to St. Joseph’s Cathedral. You can ride your motorcycle or bicycle, or you can take a cyclo or a cab. As an alternative, you can walk to the cathedral from a bus station that is close by. Buses Nos. 1 and 2 stop on Trieu Quoc Dat Street and Trang Thi Street, respectively, and at Hoan Kiem Lake. Buses Nos. 9–14, and 36 stop at Hoan Kiem Lake.
History of Hanoi Catholic Church
The French colonial era saw the construction of St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi, which serves as a representative example of colonial architecture in the Vietnamese capital.
On the grounds of St. Joseph’s Cathedral stood the Buddhist pagoda known as Bao Thien before its construction. This pagoda was the biggest and most revered during the Ly-Tran Dynasties. At the end of the eighteenth century, part of the pagoda was destroyed to make way for a market around the close of the eighteenth century. Then, the cathedral was built there, at first using wood. In 1884, it was rebuilt using baked clay, and work on it was completed by Christmas 1888.
Catholicism was extensively practiced throughout the French colonial era, and St. Joseph’s Cathedral rose to prominence as the religious hub of Northern Vietnam. The cathedral was hosting weekly and daily rituals at the time. It was both a hiding place for Vietnamese revolutionary fighters and a place of worship for thousands of Catholics in the Northern area.
Following the French colonists’ withdrawal from Northern Vietnam in 1954, the church was shuttered and handed up to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam government. Catholics were not allowed back into the church until Christmas of 1990.
Architecture of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Hanoi
Despite the busyness of Hanoi, the church retains a serene and historic charm. Its length is 64.5 meters, and its breadth is 20.5 meters. The front consists of two 31.5-meter-tall square bell towers and a large clock that is modeled after Paris’s renowned Notre Dame. A copper statue of Mother Maria stands in front of the cathedral, while iron gates, flowers, and trees adorn the area.
Vietnam’s St. Joseph’s Cathedral is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture. Its architecture includes lofty domes, bright big glass windows, and Jesus Christ images throughout.
The architecture of the cathedral combines elements of Vietnamese style with Gothic design. Pasteboard walls, red tiles, and baked clay bricks make up the building’s framework. A common feature of traditional Vietnamese temples, red and golden gilded wood is also used to embellish worship altars.
The Mass Schedule of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Hanoi
It’s intriguing to attend mass, and even if you’re not Catholic, you should give it a try. This is where you can watch the priest administer Catholic baptisms and explanations of the Bible.
Every day, the cathedral is free to enter, except Sundays, when it is open from 1 to 5 p.m. and 8 to 11 a.m. In the interim, religious ceremonies are held there Monday through Friday at 5:30 am and 6:15 pm, and on Saturdays at 5:30 am and 6 pm. It is open for mass celebrations at various times of the day, including 5 a.m., 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.
Best Things to Do & See at Hanoi Catholic Church
Capture beautiful photos in front of St. Joseph’s Cathedral
One of Hanoi’s most remarkable examples of French colonial architecture is St. Joseph’s Cathedral. As a result, you ought to come here and shoot some amazing photos to save special memories. You may find a lot of images taken here by conducting a simple search on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Zalo, and Tiktok.
Enjoy street foods and gossip with your besties
One of the greatest areas to sample street food in Hanoi is the neighborhood surrounding St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Sitting on the sidewalk, taking in the architecture of the church, and indulging in a variety of foods and beverages—like lemon tea, grilled fermented pork rolls, dumplings, etc.—will be the perfect way to spend a leisurely weekend.
Celebrate Christmas with the locals in the St. Joseph’s Cathedral
For Christmas, St. Joseph’s Cathedral will be decked out in vibrant colors. The cathedral doors adorned with wreaths and other Christmas decorations, a large Christmas tree in the square, and bright lighting all contribute to the cozy winter feel. Whether or whether you practice Catholicism, you ought to visit the cathedral to take in the joyous atmosphere and offer some self- and loved ones wishes.
Visit Nearby Hanoi Attractions
St. Joseph’s Cathedral is a must-see if you wish to experience both the allure and heroic past of Hanoi. Situated in the center of the city, it has witnessed many significant events over the past few centuries. Despite enduring intense battles, this spectacular architectural creation is still regarded as a treasure of French colonial Hanoi architecture.
