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St Joseph's Cathedral, or Nha Tha Lon, is the oldest church in Hanoi. It is located on Pho Nha Chung, or Nha Chung Street, a short distance from the Ho Hoan Kiem, the Lake of the Returned Sword.
St Joseph's Cathedral was known simply as the "Big Church" among the Vietnamese of Hanoi. It was consecrated on the night of Christmas in 1886. The stained glass windows inside it date from then. The French demolished the ancient Bao Thien Pagoda - an important pagoda that dates from the 12th century Ly Dynasty - to make way for St Joseph's Cathedral, whose style is intended to resemble the Notre Dame of Paris.
When the communists took over Hanoi, the Catholic faith suffered three decades of suppression which was only relaxed in the last two decades. Mass was only resumed here in 1990, and today, the people once again enjoy freedom of worship. This can be seen on Sundays, when the services here are absolutely packed.
St Joseph's Cathedral in the morning sun.
How to go to St Joseph's Cathedral
St Joseph's Cathedral is located on located at Nha Chung Street, or Pho Nha Chung. If you are coming from the direction of the Ho Hoan Kiem, go along Le Thai To Street from south to north until it forks into two. The street on the left fork is Pho Hang Trong. A short distance from the fork is a T-junction on the left side. That is Nha Tho Street. St Joseph's Cathedral is located at the end of this street.
St Joseph's Cathedral Photo Gallery
Please click the thumbnail on the left to view more photos of the St Joseph's Cathedral.
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