St. Joseph's Cathedral

A significant attraction of Hanoi is the Cathedral of St. Joseph, built in 1886. The construction is made in neo-Gothic style. It is a bit like Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and looks a bit out of place on the busy streets of the city.

The temple includes two magnificent square towers about 60 meters high and a bell tower with five tubular bells. In front of the entrance is the original statue of St. Mary. Although the exterior of the cathedral is decorated in Western style, the main part of the interior is made in Vietnamese motifs, with a predominance of yellow and red colors. The church hall of the temple is decorated with magnificent stained glass windows and a rich altar.

In the courtyard of the temple is buried the last cardinal of Vietnam. Statues erected over his tomb commemorate Vietnamese martyrs for their faith. The cathedral is a historical monument of architecture, popular among tourists. Cathedral Square is a favorite place of rest for local residents.