Top 10 Most Beautiful Churches in Northern Vietnam

Phu Nhai Church is a Roman Catholic church located in the Bui Chu Diocese, Vietnam. Situated in the center of Xuan Phuong village, Xuan Truong district, Nam Dinh province, it is more than 1 km away from Xuan Truong town. This church is one of the largest in Vietnam. Originally built in a Gothic architectural style with strong Spanish influences, it was later rebuilt in a French Gothic style.

The church dimensions are: 80 meters long, 27 meters wide, and 30 meters high. The two bell towers rise to 44 meters and house four bells, cast in France, weighing 2,000 kg, 1,200 kg, 600 kg, and 100 kg. The church's facade features a 17-meter statue of Saint Dominic on the right, with the statue itself standing 2.3 meters tall. On the left side is a mausoleum that houses the remains of 83 martyrs from the Phu Nhai parish, standing 15 meters high. Around the church are bas-reliefs depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross. Visitors who climb to the top of Phu Nhai Church’s tower are treated to panoramic views of Xuan Truong district. In 2008, the Phu Nhai Shrine was elevated to a Minor Basilica.

So Kien Church is located in the Hanoi Archdiocese and is one of the most magnificent and ancient churches in Vietnam. Known as the Sở Kiện Basilica or Ke So Church (Dôme de Sở Kiện), this Roman Catholic church is situated in Kien Khe town, Thanh Liem district, Ha Nam province, about 65 km south of Hanoi along National Highway 1. It is one of four basilicas in Vietnam and serves as the pilgrimage center for the Hanoi Diocese. From 1882 to 1936, it also served as the cathedral of the archdiocese.

The name Sở Kiện comes from the combination of two local villages: Sở, known for farming, and Kiện, which specialized in trade and lime-burning. Construction of the church began on October 23, 1877, and it was completed in 1882, featuring a Gothic architectural style with towering spires and a grand bell tower. The entire church is built on a large swamp, and its foundation is reinforced with lim wood to prevent sinking.

The Sở Kiện Complex includes the main church, a bishop's residence, and a seminary. The church’s stained glass windows depict saints and Biblical events. The altar and sanctuary are beautifully carved from wood in intricate patterns and painted with gold, in the traditional Vietnamese style. In June 2010, So Kien Church was elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Seven years after its elevation, it remains a fascinating site where Eastern and Western architectural styles converge. Visitors are often captivated by the 27-meter high bell tower, which houses four bells tuned to the notes of Do, Mi, Sol, and Do, with the heaviest bell weighing nearly 2.5 tons, known as the Bourdon. The church also holds the tomb of the bishop and relics of several martyrs.

Bui Chu Church is the cathedral of the Bui Chu Diocese, built during the French colonial era in 1884. It serves as the final resting place of five bishops who once governed the diocese. With its intricate carvings and beautiful architecture, Bui Chu Church is a popular destination for visitors passing through Nam Dinh.

The church was completed in 1885 and, after 134 years, was recently spared from demolition. Bui Chu Church sits in a spacious courtyard, showcasing ancient architecture with ochre-colored walls and beautiful tile roofing. It measures 78 meters long, 22 meters wide, and 15 meters high, with twin bell towers rising to 35 meters. Built 135 years ago, it was one of the earliest and most impressive churches in Nam Dinh.

Bui Chu Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Xuan Ngoc commune, Xuan Truong district, Nam Dinh province. Over its more than 100 years of existence, the church has remained sturdy with its ironwood pillars and Western-style decorative features. Every year on August 8th, the feast day of the diocese’s patron saint, many local Catholics gather to celebrate Mass here.

You will be awestruck upon seeing the Hung Nghia Parish Church, feeling as though you're standing before a magnificent, majestic castle with intricate details. Hung Nghia Parish has been part of the Bui Chu Diocese since the early 18th century, with the parish established in 1780. The original wooden church was constructed in 1894. Over time, the structure has deteriorated and is now at risk of collapsing.

At the front of the Hung Nghia Church stands a shrine dedicated to Our Lady of La Vang and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our Lady of La Vang is the name given by Vietnamese Catholics to the apparition of the Virgin Mary during a period of persecution of Catholics in Vietnam. La Vang is an important pilgrimage site in Quang Tri Province, where the faithful believe the Virgin Mary appeared in 1798.

Entering the Hung Nghia Church, you are immediately drawn to the towering vaulted ceiling, characteristic of traditional Catholic churches. The main altar area is covered by a dome, with stained-glass windows above that allow natural light to fill the space. The nave features a wooden-beam ceiling, with portraits of the priests who have shepherded the parish displayed along the walls. The high windows bring in light, ensuring the church remains illuminated even without electric lights. There are several altars along the side aisles, and small altars dedicated to various saints at each pillar.

Bac Trach Church is located in Tien Hai District, Thai Binh Province. Construction of the church began in 2006 and was completed in 2013, with a total cost of 60 billion VND. The church is situated approximately 25 km from the center of Thai Binh City. Built in the Gothic architectural style, it features numerous windows, spires, and pointed arches. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful churches in Vietnam, it stands as a stunning architectural masterpiece of Thai Binh and a remarkable example of Gothic architecture in the country, similar to what is seen in major cathedrals and basilicas.

The church is 92.5 meters long, 32 meters wide, and the bell tower rises 61 meters high. To construct this grand and magnificent structure, the builders used 460,000 bricks, approximately 350 tons of steel, over 500 tons of lime, nearly 3,000 tons of cement, 1,000 square meters of stone, more than 120 stained-glass windows, and nearly 100 statues and reliefs, along with numerous other materials and supplies. In addition to its immense size and grandeur, Bac Trach Church is adorned with intricate and delicate floral patterns, with even the smallest details of petals and lines meticulously crafted, making it hard to find such craftsmanship elsewhere. This church is a true architectural feat, combining monumental construction with statues, reliefs, and paintings that create a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. You'll also be impressed by over 100 windows made of glass, each one a colorful work of art.

Thai Binh Cathedral was consecrated in 2007 and is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Vietnam. The church is designed with two floors, measuring a total length of 69 meters and a width of 18 meters, with two long aisles, each 3 meters wide. The upper floor is used for the celebration of Mass and other liturgical services. The cathedral is adorned in a light cream color, with a subtle shade of alluvial brown, reminiscent of the fertile rice fields that have shaped the region's history.

Located at the confluence of the Red and Tra Ly rivers, the region of Thai Binh has been nourished by rich alluvial soil, once known as the rice bowl of northern Vietnam. This fertile land has cultivated not only bountiful harvests but also a people known for their humility, hard work, and resilience in both everyday life and in the trials of faith.

The church’s twin towers, standing 46 meters tall, resemble two glowing candles, supported by two sturdy hands reaching toward the heavens. Together with the resonant chimes of three bells, they call the faithful to God. The sanctuary is designed like a giant bronze drum, featuring intricate reliefs depicting everyday scenes, such as hunting, gathering, and flying Lạc Viet birds. The spacious sanctuary can accommodate hundreds of priests during major liturgical events. The floor of the sanctuary is made of red granite, which, from a distance, resembles a vast crimson carpet, symbolizing the grandeur and reverence worthy of such a sacred space.

Tam Dao has long been known as a paradise of beautiful and ancient landscapes, and among them, the Tam Dao Stone Church stands out as a remarkable architectural structure nestled among lush green mountains. Tam Dao is a mountain range in the northeastern region of Vietnam, spanning across three provinces: Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, and Tuyen Quang. The name Tam Dao refers to three towering peaks rising above the sea of clouds: Thach Ban, Thien Thi, and Mang Chi, with the highest peak reaching an elevation of 1,591 meters. In this valley, there is a mountain called Church Mountain, where a historic stone church is situated at its foot.

The Tam Dao Stone Church was built between 1906 and 1912, located in the heart of Tam Dao town, on the road leading to the summit of Mount Thien Nhi. Initially, the French constructed a simple wooden structure with thatched roofing, but by 1937, the church was rebuilt in solid stone and has stood ever since. From anywhere in the Tam Dao valley, the church is visible, especially its bell tower, which stands silently amidst the whispering pine trees on the mountainside.

The church has a spacious courtyard that extends along one side of the building, with the other side bordering the road. To ensure the safety of visitors, an arched stone gateway was built along the roadside. Each arch is semi-circular, with a flat area for visitors to sit and admire the view of the town below. The beautiful town and its equally charming gateway could be considered an artistic masterpiece that enhances the natural beauty of the church. The ancient stone church, with its rare and distinctive features, is a fascinating attraction for any visitor coming to Tam Dao for rest. No matter the time of day, the church offers a unique beauty. In the morning, it is shrouded in cool mist, while in the afternoon, the dry air and mountain breeze provide a refreshing atmosphere. In the evening, the romantic autumn air adds to the church's allure, and at night, thick fog creates a chilling and mysterious ambiance.

This is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hanoi, home to the Archbishop's throne. The church was constructed between 1884 and 1888, primarily using red brick, and was consecrated during the Christmas season of 1887. It measures approximately 64.5 meters long and 20.5 meters wide, with two bell towers standing 31.5 meters tall.

St. Joseph's Cathedral is designed in the Gothic architectural style typical of medieval European churches, inspired by the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. It features grand, sweeping arches that stretch towards the sky. The altar area is decorated with intricate folk art carvings, gilded in gold, giving it a unique charm. The Gothic design, popular during the 12th century and the Renaissance period in Europe, is reflected in the cathedral's soaring arches and spires.

The primary material used in the construction is red brick, with the walls plastered with traditional paper-based plaster. The cathedral spans 64.5 meters in length, 20.5 meters in width, and features two towering bell towers at 31.5 meters, supported by massive stone columns at each corner. At the top of the towers are crosses made of stone. Inside the church, the main entrance is a large doorway, flanked by two smaller doors at the base of each tower. All doors and windows are pointed arches typical of Gothic design, and many of them feature beautiful stained glass depictions of saints that fill the interior with colorful, natural light. The altar area is adorned with finely crafted wood carvings, painted and gilded, adding an exquisite touch to the church's grandeur. St. Joseph's Cathedral is currently located at 40 Nhà Chung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

The church is located in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh, about 120km south of Hanoi. This is considered a vast complex of Catholic churches, covering an area of 22 hectares. It is a major construction and serves as the cathedral of the Phat Diem diocese.

The church is entirely built from stone and wood, designed in the style of traditional Vietnamese pagodas and temples. Phat Diem Stone Church is regarded as one of the most beautiful churches in Vietnam, built from 1875 to 1898. Christmas services are held here with grandeur, and on Christmas Eve, the Phat Diem Episcopal Palace glows with colorful lights. The church's cave system and interior are magnificently decorated with vibrant colors.

Phat Diem Church (Kim Son, Ninh Binh), the only national heritage church to date, is one of the “four great basilicas” in Vietnam. From the outside, the buildings resemble many 19th-century churches found in small towns and rural areas of France. However, in Vietnam, these churches are often softer, more joyful compared to their French counterparts. These structures typically combine traditional Vietnamese architectural techniques and decorations, evoking images of temples and shrines.

Sapa is a place full of the wonders of nature, people, and breathtaking landscapes, making it a popular tourist destination. Among the many scenic spots here, Sapa Stone Church stands out as a symbol and a must-see location. It also serves as the main religious center for the local Catholic community. Built in 1895, the church is designed in the shape of a cross with Romanesque Gothic architecture, featuring a roof, bell tower, and arches, all with pointed shapes that create a graceful and captivating appearance.

The Stone Church is ideally situated, with the majestic Ham Rong Mountain behind it, covering an area of 6000 square meters. The church itself consists of 7 sections, each about 500 square meters, with a 20-meter-high bell tower containing a 1.5-meter, 500-kilogram bell. The entire church is constructed from carefully cut stone, with the stones bonded using a mixture of sand, lime, and molasses. The most appealing feature of the church is its Gothic Romanesque architecture, particularly evident in the pointed roof, bell tower, and arches, giving the structure a light, airy quality. The church covers more than 500m², with the bell tower soaring over 20m. The bell, cast in 1932, has a resonant tone that can be heard from nearly a kilometer away.

Located in the heart of Sapa town, the church is visible from all sides. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. Historically, the Sapa Stone Church has been a cultural hub for the local ethnic communities. If you visit on a Saturday, you can witness the unique “love market” tradition of the local ethnic minorities. Additionally, on weekends, there are prayer services accompanied by H'mong children singing hymns in their native language.