The twin towers
About 31 metres each.
Newone — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Linhcandng (thảo luận) — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Larry — CC BY-SA 2.0
St Joseph's Cathedral is the oldest church in Hanoi and the seat of its Catholic archdiocese, a dark-grey Gothic Revival building whose two square towers, each about 31 metres high, are often compared with Notre-Dame in Paris. Bishop Paul-François Puginier had it built on the site of the old Bao Thien pagoda, which had collapsed in the 16th century, and it was consecrated on 24 December 1886. The cathedral was closed for decades after 1954, and Mass was allowed there again on Christmas Eve 1990. A restoration from 2020 to 2022 cleaned and repaired its weathered stone front, and a new organ with 1,850 pipes was installed at the end of 2022. Inside are pointed arches, rib vaults and stained glass made in France. It stands on a small square west of Hoan Kiem Lake, at the end of Nha Tho Street, where cafés serve iced lemon tea on low stools. The main doors open for Mass; at other times visitors enter through the side gate on Nha Chung Street during visiting hours, in modest dress and quietly during services.
About 31 metres each.
Made in France.
On the square in front.
Nha Chung Street, west of Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem LakeA small lake at the edge of Hanoi's Old Quarter, and the city's best-known landm4 minutes walk4.6
Hoa Lo PrisonA prison the French built in the heart of Hanoi between 1896 and 1901 and called5 minutes walk4.4
Ngoc Son TempleA small temple on Jade Island at the northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake, reached acr5 minutes walk4.5
Vietnamese Women's MuseumThe Vietnamese Women's Museum, run by the Vietnam Women's Union, tells the count8 minutes walk4.4
Hanoi Old QuarterThe Old Quarter is the historic trading heart of Hanoi, a dense grid of streets 9 minutes walkYes, free of charge, through the side gate on Nha Chung Street during visiting hours; the main doors open at Mass times.