Hanh Thong Tay Church in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Coming to Hanh Thong Tay Church or Saint Joseph Church in Ho Chi Minh City, visitors will be watched a building designed in Byzantine style, imitating a cathedral in Ravenna, Italy. It is totally different from most of the churches in the city and Vietnam.

General information about Hanh Thong Tay Church

Location: 7B Quang Trung Street, Ward 11, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. CLICK HERE to see the location of the temple on Google Maps. It is about 11 km from Ben Thanh Market.

Opening hours: Sunday: 5:00 – 20:00, other days: 4:45 – 18:30.

Tel: +84 28 3895 8069

Website: http://gxhanhthongtay.net

Mass Schedule: Sunday: 5:00, 7:30, 9:30, 16:00, 17:30, 19:00; other days: 5:00, 7:30, 9:30, 16:00, 17:30, 19:00.

Names: Nhà Thờ Hạnh Thông Tây, Nhà Thờ Thánh Giuse, Hanh Thong Tay Church, Saint Joseph Church.

History

Hanh Thong Tay Church was built from 1921 to 1924 under the sponsorship of Mr. Le Phat An (1868-1946). Le Phat An is the son of Le Phat Dat who is known as one of 4 most famous great landlords in South Vietnam at that time. Mr. An is also uncle of Queen Nam Phuong – one of the most beautiful and kindest Vietnamese queens.

Architecture

While most of the churches in Vietnam is built according to Gothic or Roman architecture, Hanh Thong Tay Church is built according to Byzantine architecture style and imitated Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy.

The church has a length of 14 m, a width of 14 m, a height of 16 m, a dome with a height of 20 m and a bell tower with a height of 30 m. In 1952, the height of the bell tower was adjusted to be 19.5 meters due to aviation security reason.

Exterior

Above the front door of Hanh Thong Tay Church is a statue of Saint Denis – the patron saint of Denis Le Phat An.

Interior

On the domes of the church, there are Byzantine-style mosaics depicting Jesus on the cross, St. Joseph carrying Child Jesus, 11 demigoddesses including Anna, Maria Madalena, Veronica, Lucia, Cecilia, Agnes, Claira, Jeanne d’Arc, Germaine.

Tombs of Mr. and Mrs. Le Phat An

In addition, the church also has two tombs of Mr. and Mrs. Le Phat An which are opposite each other and were built by two famous French architects. Both of tombs are made of marble and granite which are carved delicately. The beautiful Renaissance and “Southern” style sculptured statues of Mr. and Mrs. Le Phat An kneeing and mourning. In addition, it has been said to be very “Southern”. In front of the statue of Mr. Le Phat An is the marble statue of his wife in traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai, kneeing and offering flowers to him and praying for him and vice versa.

Hanh Thong Tay Church

Hanh Thong Tay Church

Hanh Thong Tay Church

Hanh Thong Tay Church

Hanh Thong Tay Church

Hanh Thong Tay Church

If you have a chance to travel to Ho Chi Minh City, do not forget to visit this place. Or just join Saigon Sightseeing Tour by Motorbike to explore Top Churches in Ho Chi Minh City.

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