Phat Diem Cathedral
Phat Diem Cathedral
4.5
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4.5
161 reviews
Excellent
92
Very good
51
Average
13
Poor
5
Terrible
0
Quang Kiet Le
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam1,079 contributions
Dec 2020
It took us more than 2 hours travelling from Hanoi. Phat Diem Cathedral actually consisted of one big church and 4 smaller ones surrounding. The churches were beautifully blended of the traditional Vietnamese culture and architecture and the Western religion reflecting in every single corner. Highly recommended to register a short tour with the sister at the Information Centre to understand more about the history.
Written 5 December 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.
kellyandrewtomas
Hanoi, Vietnam64 contributions
Oct 2020
As a fairly small nondescript town in Vietnam you wouldn't expect Phat Diem to have such an impressive cathedral. It was both the size and style that kept me wandering the grounds for about 1 hour. While I was there it is peaceful. Overall I would say it has been maintained well with only a few areas needing repair and no rubbish.
Written 21 December 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.
Danzelho
Singapore, Singapore195 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
Speeding off to Phat Diem Cathedral on a motorbike which is located in the Kim Son district. It was refreshing riding without much traffic and without any rules. Even if there are any rules on the road, it is pretty much dictate by the user. I have to agree that the noises from the excessive horn are terrible but it does serve as a great way to signal the driver in front that you are passing through or making a turn.
It wasn't a very complicated journey, as we were travelling on one straight dusty road most of the time with farmlands, houses or catholic cemeteries by the side, however i am very certain we will be lost if we didn't have a google map.
Take Nguyen Cong Tru Road (QL10). It is a straight route, and you will be spending most of your time riding on this route. Approximately 24km later, you will face a T or should i say Y junction with a river in front of you. At this junction turn right and carry riding on QL10. 3km later After make a final right turn into a small lane with a few potholes, and you will reach the compound of the Phat Diem Cathedral. The total distance from Ninh Binh train station to the cathedral is less than 30km. If you are riding or driving on your own, it will be good to save a offline google map since the entrance to the cathedral is a small road and you might miss it. However the cathedral is very famous in this district so ask around if you are unsure and i believe the locals will be able to point you correct way.
The cathedral looks impressive and took 24 years to built, with the exterior totally in concrete and the interior made of wood. The cathedral exhibit a unique mix of Christian gothic style of architectural and Vietnamese pagoda structure. I was pretty surprised when i walk past one of the chapel and heard people chanting instead of singing hymns. Incense was also used as a form of worshiped in the cathedral which was predominantly an Asian tradition. It was an interesting mix of religion and culture.
We were in Ninh Binh for one full day and we decided to visit Tam Coc, Mua cave in the morning and Phat Diem in the afternoon. If you are on a tight schedule, maybe it will not be wise for you to visit Phat Diem Cathedral due to the long distance. I have read quite a bit about the cathedral hence decided to head there. If you love unique architecture, history and riding on the outskirt of a town. Go, you will enjoy it. Just plan one whole afternoon for it so that you wouldn't have to rush and still have time to reach back before the sun set. Do take note that The Phat Diem Cathedral close at 5.00pm local time.
I have included the cathedral website in the tripadvisor review, if you are Interested to know more about it. Not sure if they will show it. Drop me a message if you need more information. Cheers.
It wasn't a very complicated journey, as we were travelling on one straight dusty road most of the time with farmlands, houses or catholic cemeteries by the side, however i am very certain we will be lost if we didn't have a google map.
Take Nguyen Cong Tru Road (QL10). It is a straight route, and you will be spending most of your time riding on this route. Approximately 24km later, you will face a T or should i say Y junction with a river in front of you. At this junction turn right and carry riding on QL10. 3km later After make a final right turn into a small lane with a few potholes, and you will reach the compound of the Phat Diem Cathedral. The total distance from Ninh Binh train station to the cathedral is less than 30km. If you are riding or driving on your own, it will be good to save a offline google map since the entrance to the cathedral is a small road and you might miss it. However the cathedral is very famous in this district so ask around if you are unsure and i believe the locals will be able to point you correct way.
The cathedral looks impressive and took 24 years to built, with the exterior totally in concrete and the interior made of wood. The cathedral exhibit a unique mix of Christian gothic style of architectural and Vietnamese pagoda structure. I was pretty surprised when i walk past one of the chapel and heard people chanting instead of singing hymns. Incense was also used as a form of worshiped in the cathedral which was predominantly an Asian tradition. It was an interesting mix of religion and culture.
We were in Ninh Binh for one full day and we decided to visit Tam Coc, Mua cave in the morning and Phat Diem in the afternoon. If you are on a tight schedule, maybe it will not be wise for you to visit Phat Diem Cathedral due to the long distance. I have read quite a bit about the cathedral hence decided to head there. If you love unique architecture, history and riding on the outskirt of a town. Go, you will enjoy it. Just plan one whole afternoon for it so that you wouldn't have to rush and still have time to reach back before the sun set. Do take note that The Phat Diem Cathedral close at 5.00pm local time.
I have included the cathedral website in the tripadvisor review, if you are Interested to know more about it. Not sure if they will show it. Drop me a message if you need more information. Cheers.
Written 26 March 2014
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.
FrankSteve
New York87 contributions
Apr 2019
Visiting the cathedral was an unforgettable highlight of our trip to Vietnam. The architecture is stunning, the atmosphere peaceful, and the gardens beautiful. The structures and grounds exude a vibrant and unique history. A blending of European and Vietnamese design, with pagoda style roofs, the cathedral was designed in 1892 by Father Tran Luc, a Vietnamese priest. Graham Greene featured the cathedral in a memorable scene of The Quiet American. We spent several hours exploring the place, in awe of everything we saw, and will surely return to Vietnam to see the cathedral again.
Written 8 October 2019
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.
BobsWorth1
London, UK433 contributions
Jan 2018
I visited today and it is well worth a visit if you are in Ninh Binh.
You can take the number 2 bus from Ninh Binh bus station (Ben xe Ninh Binh) which is located about halfway between the train station and the centre of town. It only costs 25000 VND each way. No need to buy a ticket in the station, just pay the conductor on the bus. Journey time to Phat Diem is around 45 mins - 1 hour depending on the traffic.
The bus will drop you off at a junction on the main road (Duong 10), outside a large yellow and black coloured electronics shop called The Gioi Di Dong). Look down the street to the side of the shop and you’ll see the cathedral at the bottom.
To get the bus back to Ninh Binh, just stand opposite the electronics shop and flag it down like you would a taxi.
Free entry and there are plenty of cafes in and around the area.
You can take the number 2 bus from Ninh Binh bus station (Ben xe Ninh Binh) which is located about halfway between the train station and the centre of town. It only costs 25000 VND each way. No need to buy a ticket in the station, just pay the conductor on the bus. Journey time to Phat Diem is around 45 mins - 1 hour depending on the traffic.
The bus will drop you off at a junction on the main road (Duong 10), outside a large yellow and black coloured electronics shop called The Gioi Di Dong). Look down the street to the side of the shop and you’ll see the cathedral at the bottom.
To get the bus back to Ninh Binh, just stand opposite the electronics shop and flag it down like you would a taxi.
Free entry and there are plenty of cafes in and around the area.
Written 25 January 2018
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.
Alexis D
23 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
I love this place. Have been there 4 or 5 times already, and I find it absolutely incredible. If you like architecture, dont miss it: this mix of Asian and European style is unique in the world. The pillars only, made on ironwood, deserve a visit. And the trip from Ninh Binh reveals a beautiful landscape along a canal.
Written 20 August 2016
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.
srvctraveler
Denver, CO65 contributions
Nov 2019
Great architecture and a fascinating history giving insight into the role of the French and the Catholic Church in this part of Vietnam.
Written 22 November 2019
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.
planetawdrodze
Krakow, Poland241 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
This cathedral is just amazing. It was far more what ive expected. If you have time to come here - do it. We took a motorbike from Ninh Binh and got there, see cathedral and came back.
Written 15 March 2019
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.
Peter V
Thua Thien - Hue Province, Vietnam107 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
This cathedral is a stunning combination of sino vietnanese styke mixed with gothic. Itbiscan enormousvcomplex. FathervSix ( sau) started it. Itbgained world renown being described in graham greenebs ThecQuietvAmerican and was also filmed. For rc beliversveven an extra must see. We regard thos on par with another fatastic cathedral that of so kien, formerly khe sonbetween hanoi and ninh binh. That is in gothoc style, built in 1852,finished 1882 andvis mentioned in thevtravel exploitsvodvdrvhocquerd. Both mustvsee forvhidtoryband architecture buffs as well as rc believers.
Written 19 May 2018
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.
Elisabeth K
9 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
The way from Tam Coc to Phat Diem by motobike takes quite a while (1h), but it's totally worth it!! We enjoyed walking through the cathedral's area... many little chapels. It's a quiet place, only with some people visiting. Nearby we found a cute coffeeshop that serves great vietnamese coffee and mangoshake!
Written 21 April 2018
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.
Hello, I will visit Phat Diem cathedral end of November, how many times I should keep to visit this place? Is there some opening hours. I will be in Ninh Bin, do you if it is easy to find a taxi to go back from Phat Diem to Ninh Bin?
Thanks for help.
Roger
Written 5 November 2018
Как из города Нинь Бинь доехать общественным транспортом до Phat Diem Cathedral?
Written 28 August 2016
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