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St. Joseph's Cathedral
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St. Joseph's Cathedral

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See all things to do
St. Joseph's Cathedral
4
2,914 reviews
#19 of 294 things to do in Hanoi
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
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7:00 AM - 11:30 AM, 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 11:30 AM
3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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About
Entering this majestic church is like walking into 1886, as little has changed since it first opened its doors.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
2,914 reviews
Excellent
840
Very good
1,242
Average
711
Poor
107
Terrible
14
Lee A
Hanoi, Vietnam16 contributions
Fabulous Cathedral
Jan 2023
Just take few minutes walking from the Central lake, it is a quite fabulous and impressive building originally buit by the French. There are many good cafe and restaurant arround. It's really relax to sit arround and look at nice view and people passing by. Taking beautiful photos is also a great idea.
Written March 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason S
Melbourne, Australia1,333 contributions
Nice cathedral in Hanoi
Jan 2020 • Solo
Built by the French in the late 19th century it’s design looks eerie similar to Notre Dame in Paris.

It’s loos very grand with the 2 grey pillars on either side of the front of cathedral.

You can walk around cathedral is a large cathedral.

Sadly it looks like front door is not used I entered through the side entrance to the right, once you enter inside is very basic compared to European cathedrals and very dark no lights in cathedral.

No entrance fee just signs saying no flash photography- if you have need travelling through SE Asia and sick of temples then maybe see a cathedral instead.

I would say it’s a must in Hanoi but worth a quick pit stop.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Ceasar
New York City, NY3 contributions
HIdden gem in Hanoi
Dec 2019
Didnt know that inside the Old Quarter there is a beautiful church like this one. What a gem! Asking some local around here, I found that the church was designed by architectural styles of Europe, based on the Notre Dame in Paris. Also, this church was built by the French during their colonizing time in Vietnam. This one is such a historial landmark and great for photo shooting. I sat on the 2nd floor of Cong cafe (also highly recommend this vintage coffee shop) and took some pictures of this beautiful church.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China12,748 contributions
Notre Dame in Hanoi
Jan 2023
It is quite interesting to find a miniature of Notre Dame Cathedral in the Vietnamese capital. Saint Joseph Cathedral is an impressive legacy of French colonial history in the country. Unfortunately it is under renovation during our time of visit.
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria D
Manila19 contributions
Unforgetable Hanoi
Feb 2020
To 4 million Catholics in Hanoi, St. Joseph's Cathedral symbolizes their unwavering faith and religious history. The Cathedral, built similarly to the Notre Dame in Paris, named in honor of St. Joseph, the country's patron saint. Imposing from the outside, which is the only place we were allowed to look at it for our February trip was right smack during the Corona virus scare although Vietnam then just got a clean bill of health. Twice we tried to visit, hoping wecould get a closer view during the day. . Our third evening visit did not disappoint with the spectacular play of lights weaving in and out of every spire, window, bell of its two towers. Just the facade view was gave a moving, memorable experience. Hanoi Hanvet Hotel where we stayed was several minutes away from the Cathedral, shopping and coffee houses.
Written March 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan C
Melbourne, Australia740 contributions
Beautiful church
Nov 2019
Fronting onto a square in the Old Quarter near Hoàn Kiem Lake this French Gothic Revival Roman Catholic cathedral dates from 1886. The facade is impressive with two bell towers and buttresses. There are leadlight windows and statues and dioramas of saints inside.

The entrances to the cathedral are through the metal gates via two side entrances. Dress appropriately. Photos are allowed but no flash photography and not during mass. There are public toilets and seating on the outside of the cathedral towards the rear. I was there in November when they were constructing the nativity scene in the square and have heard that around Christmas is a great time to visit. In November it wasn’t overly busy and we had no problems visiting inside. I enjoyed a couple of visits there and noticed new things on each subsequent visit.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wills
Bracknell, UK221 contributions
An imposing church with internal serenity
Oct 2019
Completed in 1886 by the French Colonial Government, St Joseph's Cathedral has an architectural style described as resembling Notre Dame in Paris.

A short walk east from Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the cathedral is an impressive grey building that dominates a small square within the Old Quarter. Inside is an oasis of serenity amidst the hustle and bustle if the Quarter. An ideal retreat at the end of a busy day's sightseeing. My only disappointment was that inside it was eerily dark.

Normal visitor access is via a door and a few steepish steps on the North side. There is a ramp for wheelchair access and those wishing to avoid the steps on the South side.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justnitid
Mumbai, India353 contributions
A stately cathedral in a vibrant locality
Dec 2019 • Couples
Built in 1886, in a neo-Gothic style with towering bell-towers on either side, the Na Tho Cathedral is an architectural gem. It is just west of Hoan Kiem lake, taking pride of place in a small town square surrounded by busy streets, shops and restaurants.
In the run up to Christmas the place was extremely festive, with a large Christmas tree and depictions of the Nativity scene. The place is always crowded, but inside it will be very peaceful.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
digitalroc
Calgary, Canada1,532 contributions
The Big Church
Dec 2019
St. Joseph’s Cathedral is a Gothic Revival church that was built in the late 19th Century during the French Colonial period. The two square bell towers have a height of 31.5 meters and a large clock in the middle under the Catholic cross . A large Christmas tree was erected out front during my time in Hanoi, making a great photo opportunity. Although I made a visit during the day, at night I imagine the lights would make it looks spectacular.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
palawanismyhome
Palawan Island, Philippines23,038 contributions
Standing room only
Dec 2022
Wow, this is my 4th visit to Hanoi and we arrived on a Sunday, so my wife being a Catholic wanted to attend mass at the cathedral, so we checked in to our guest house and headed to St. Joseph. I could not believe the crowds at the cathedral and there was no way she could get in to the church. They had even placed chairs outside but they were all occupied. During Sunday they have several masses and also a daily mass. You can check the website for the times.
Written December 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi

Frequently Asked Questions about St. Joseph's Cathedral
St. Joseph's Cathedral is open:
  • Sun - Sun 7:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Sun - Sun 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Mon - Sat 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Mon - Sat 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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