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All 249 Hanoi Attractions »

St. Joseph's Cathedral (Nha Tho Lon)

40 Nha Chung St | Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
04-828-5967
Ranked #19 of 78 attractions in Hanoi
3.5 of 5 stars 157 Reviews
Type: Religious Sites
Description: Entering this majestic church is like walking into 1886, as little has changed since it first opened its doors.
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157 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    27
    65
    60
    4
    1
Date Rating
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2012

The Cathedral is within the old quarter and is very impressive in terms of it's size, the stark contrast with the neighbourhood and the fact it survived the American/Vietnam war bombings. More

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See 17 more reviews by ThrillingMe for Hanoi
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 13, 2012

Not much to look at from the outside but worth entering the cathedral, quite a moving experience More

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See 3 more reviews by Kerrie S for Hanoi
Daegu, South Korea
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 13, 2012

It's beautiful. You can't go inside so take some photos and avoid the touts trying to sell you things. I don't really know what else to say. More

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See 6 more reviews by Jason B for Hanoi
Prague, Czech Republic
Senior Contributor
47 reviews 47 reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 12, 2012

Even as an atheist, i found it nice sit down for while and escape from the chaos outside. Except of the school right next to the church, full of screaming children, it is a nice calm place. More

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See 9 more reviews by czhunty for Hanoi
Antipolo City, Philippines
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 12, 2012

Nice neo-gothic architecture. The altar and ceiling design was also very good, but you aren't allowed to take pictures inside. Had to enter the church from the back entrance as they were setting up something in the front and it was barred off. Still, it's a typical Catholic church. I've definitely seen more impressive ones. More

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See 3 more reviews by iamkhayle for Hanoi
Avignon, France
Senior Contributor
42 reviews 42 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 11, 2012

It's the Cathedral in Old Hanoi. It's a standard, neo gothic church. Unless you are Catholic and want to attend servives, I don't know what interest this would have for you. More

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See 6 more reviews by SylvieR84 for Hanoi
Sydney, Australia
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 8, 2012

We visited this cathedral and attended part of an Easter Sunday service in french. It is beautiful and well worth a visit. It has gorgeous leadlight windows and an ornate ceiling. More

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See 2 more reviews by Lindz555 for Hanoi
Sidney
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 5, 2012

Just interesting to visit this monument which remember us some christians are leaving in Vietnam in harmony with the rest of Vietnameses More

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Doha
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 5, 2012

Wasn't sure whether to bother with this but as we were passing, went in. It has the most fabulous stained glass so well worth a visit More

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See 8 more reviews by ventressclanDoha for Hanoi
Bangkok, Thailand
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 2, 2012

But wasn't open to see the inside on any of the days we were in Hanoi, so that was disappointing. Also, there is a chain link fence around it so it doesn't show so well in a picture. More

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See 6 more reviews by jjtravel2011 for Hanoi

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