Return to the 'church land' to admire the beautiful, fairy-like cathedrals

As the land where Christianity was introduced to Vietnam quite early and is a typical cultural and religious intersection of the country, it is not difficult to encounter beautiful, magnificent church architecture when visiting Nam Dinh. .

As the land where Christianity was introduced to Vietnam quite early and is a typical cultural and religious intersection of the country, it is not difficult to encounter beautiful, magnificent church architecture when visiting Nam Dinh. .

The Catholic churches in Nam Dinh are imbued with ancient Western features, located in the middle of the typical rural space of the Red River Delta, creating a unique picture, both of historical value and a of the potential to promote tourism development in this locality. Let's take a look at some famous churches that cannot be missed when visiting Nam Dinh.

Kien Lao Holy Temple

Western-style architecture of Kien Lao holy temple.

Located in Xuan Tien commune (Xuan Truong district), present since the 16th century – the first time the Gospel came to Vietnam and is one of the first five parishes of the Diocese of Dang Ngoai. In 1993, after the original cathedral was built with severely degraded wood, it was completely rebuilt and took 4 years to complete the current structure.

Kien Lao Holy Temple was built to imitate the Church of Our Lady of Bui Chu, with a length of 75m, a width of 26m, a height of 28m and a 46m high bell tower.

The highlight of the building's architecture is the design and decoration with embossed statues, a wide spherical roof and a soaring bell tower, located between a lake and rows of romantic street lights.

The project was built and completed by the people of Kien Lao.

Talent and ingenuity are also the strengths of the people of Kien Lao, as this place has been famous for its casting, bronze making, fine arts, mechanics... for a long time.

Phu Nhai Minor Basilica

The difference of Phu Nhai Minor Basilica is that there are two bell towers, with 4 bells transferred from France, including a 2-ton bell, used only during major ceremonies.

Referring to the most beautiful churches in Thanh Nam, we certainly cannot ignore the mystery and ancient and majestic architecture of Phu Nhai Minor Basilica. It was first built in 1866. In 1881, Phu Nhai church was rebuilt in an Asian style and changed to a European style in 1916.

After that, the church continued to be rebuilt and was completed in 1933. At that time, Phu Nhai was the largest church in Indochina. After being damaged during the war, in 2004, this place was completely renovated and took on its current appearance. With that long history and architecture, in 2008 the Vatican signed a decree conferring Phu Nhai Church into a Minor Basilica.

According to parishioners, Phu Nhai Church is modeled after churches in France, with French architecture, built by Vietnamese people.

Located on a land area of ​​about 2,160 m2, Phu Nhai church, despite many changes in appearance, still retains the sophistication of Gothic architecture, with a length of 80 m, a width of 27 m, a height of 30 m, two buildings. The tower is 44 m high and the main color is white and blue. Unlike many other churches, Phu Nhai also has statues embossed on the door and on both sides of the church along with decorative cursive letters.

The cathedral is the place where many important ceremonies of Catholics in Nam Dinh take place.

Having gone through the work of building dikes and reclamation with the people of the coastal districts of Nam Dinh, the religious people here have united and joined forces to fight the wind and storms. Since then, prosperous villages and parishes like today were formed and developed, with people in harmony and cohesion.

Holy Name Parish

Nét cổ kính của nhà thờ Thánh Danh gây ấn tượng với bất kỳ ai tới đây.

Khác với nhiều công trình nhà thờ uy nghi, hiện đại khác, giáo xứ Thánh Danh lại khiến du khách phải trầm trồ trước nét cổ kính, tiêu biểu cho lối kiến trúc Phục Hưng trong quá trình Việt Nam giao thương với phương Tây cuối thế kỉ XVI. 

Những góc tựa trời Âu tại nhà thờ Thánh Danh.

Besides the beauty of a Catholic church, this place is also a place where many biblical stories are recorded with embossed decorative paintings.

Luc Thuy Parish Church

Luc Thuy parish has many ancient marks.

Luc Thuy Parish is one of the church buildings in Nam Dinh with a special location, located in the middle of a residential area.

The ancient colors of the church.

The building was first built in 1880, has been damaged many times, and has been renovated and repaired. Besides the main tower, the surrounding row house structures create a beautiful complex.

The space surrounding the main sanctuary.

According to architect Bui Vinh, AHV Architectural Design Office (Hanoi), the long-lived Catholic churches in Nam Dinh all carry the beauty of time. The antiquity, magnificence and solemnity of classical styles such as Roman, Gothic, and Baroque have left unique marks of churches for each region. The time value of antiquity and typical European architectural forms imported to Vietnam is an attraction for tourists at home and abroad.

"Besides the churches that inherit all architectural features from the West, many Catholic worship works in Nam Dinh province have an Eastern orientation, inspired by the communal house architecture of the Northern countryside to "Introducing it into a Catholic space, creating closeness," architect Bui Vinh shared.

Recently, with its position as a leading locality in building new rural areas and improving the appearance of rural areas, Nam Dinh province's tourism industry has coordinated with relevant units to promote local tourism. , digital transformation, improving tourism human resources, including orientations and plans on promoting value from the system of church buildings, associated with culture and beliefs. From there, it promotes the image of "the most beautiful church country in Vietnam", as well as enhances the spirit of solidarity of the pagan and religious people, organizes many good religious activities, and contributes to building the homeland.

According to statistics, Nam Dinh has 172 parish churches, 492 parish churches, and over 470,000 parishioners (accounting for 25% of the population). Many other famous churches can be mentioned such as: Bui Chu Bishop's Palace Complex, Ninh Cuong Temple of Our Lady, Hung Nghia Temple, Xuong Dien Church, Trung Linh Church, Quan Phuong Church, Church Quan Lieu, Nam Dinh Cathedral, Hai Ly Cathedral, Khoai Dong Cathedral...

Currently, the Bui Chu Bishop's Palace Complex and Nam Dinh Cathedral are in the process of being repaired and renovated.

Nam Dinh 1646 view

Update day : 13/11/2023