One thing you don’t expect to find in the middle of a city like Hanoi is a European-style cathedral. And yet, as in many cities with a colonial past, Hanoi is no exception — it stands as a reminder of the city’s French colonial past, not as distant as it might seem.
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History of Hanoi’s cathedral
St. Joseph’s Cathedral was built by the French at the end of the 19th century, completed in just four years in neo-Gothic style — especially visible in its facade, its twin towers and its decorative details.
The site chosen for its construction was where the Bao Thien pagoda once stood, which was demolished. For several years, religious services were not permitted by the Vietnamese government, until they finally resumed in 1990, restoring the cathedral to its original role as a place of worship.
The busiest day of the year is March 19, the feast day of St. Joseph, the cathedral’s patron saint.
Prices and opening hours of Hanoi’s cathedral
St. Joseph’s Cathedral sits very close to Hoan Kiem lake, from which you can reach it in minutes.
- Entry is free
- Access to the church is through one of the side doors, not the main entrance.
- Mass times:
- Weekdays: 5:30 am, 6:30 pm.
- Saturdays: 5:30 am, 6:00 pm.
- Sundays: 5:00, 7:00, 8:30 and 10:00 am; 4:00, 6:00 and 8:00 pm.
- More information on its website.
✔️ Information reviewed and last updated on January 7, 2026
