A visit to Phat Diem stone cathedral
Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, located in Kim Son district of Ninh Binh province, is about 120 kilometres from Hanoi. It was built in the 1875s to 1898s, with oriental architecture.
 |
Phat diem stone cathedral’s design is different from other roman catholic cathedrals across the world. It is a harmonious combination of traditional pagoda architecture of vietnam mixed with the gothic style of christian architecture
Phat diem cathedral seen from above
On the top floor, there is a two-tonne bronze bell, which was cast in 1890s. According to local people, the bell’s echo can be heard across three neighbouring regions
The most remarkable feature of the cathedral is that it is made with marble and granite. Therefore, it is also known as the stone church.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
VNF ( Vietnamnet/VNA )
Recommended
Travel
"Discover Moscow" - Tourism Information Ecosystem Launches Vietnamese Version Platform
With a Vietnamese tourism promotion page, Moscow is demonstrating its growing interest in the Vietnamese market to create a more comfortable, accessible, and personalised destination experience.
July 16, 2026 | 16:01
Travel
Top Coral Reef Diving Destinations in Viet Nam for Summer 2026
Viet Nam's long coastline and thousands of offshore islands have created ideal conditions for thriving coral reef ecosystems. As summer travel peaks in 2026, destinations including Hon Mun, Cu Lao Cham, Phu Quoc, Vinh Hy, and Con Dao are expected to attract travelers eager to explore vibrant underwater landscapes through snorkeling and scuba diving.
July 16, 2026 | 09:20
Travel
Leveraging Cuisine to Elevate Vietnam's Tourism Brand
On July 13, the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a seminar titled “Cuisine and the development of Vietnam’s tourism”. The seminar gathered managers, experts, researchers, and businesses to recommend solutions to bringing cuisine values into play as a cultural resource, contributing to enhancing competitiveness and creating Vietnam’s tourism brand in the context of international integration.
July 14, 2026 | 21:09
Travel
Ho Chi Minh City Boosts Tourism Revenue Through High-Value Visitor Strategy
Ho Chi Minh City orientates tourism development linked to urban economy, night-time economy, culture industry and experience economy, changing from event organizing model to developing event economy model.
July 13, 2026 | 14:53
Travel
Vietnam Ranks First in Number of Foreigners with Long-Term Stays in RoK
According to a report released by Statistics Korea on July 9, Vietnam ranked first in the number of foreign nationals entering the RoK for long-term stays in 2025, with approximately 98,000 people. Vietnamese citizens accounted for the largest share among foreigners staying in the country for more than 90 days.
July 12, 2026 | 18:29
Travel
Bringing Essence of Vietnamese Cuisine Closer to Europe and the World
On the evening of July 8, at Pho Saigon Restaurant in Vienna, Austria, the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria, in coordination with the We Love Pho Association, the Ninh Binh Culinary Culture Association, and Vietnamese culinary artisans and experts, organized a program titled “Pho and Culinary Culture: Bringing Vietnamese Identity Closer to Europe and the World.”The event was one of the stops on the Journey of Pho and Vietnamese Culinary Culture Across Europe, contributing to the promotion of Vietnam’s image, people, and cultural values to international friends.
July 12, 2026 | 18:27
Travel
Russian Arrivals to Vietnam Nearly Triple in First Half of 2026
In the first six months of 2026, Vietnam welcomed more than 742,000 Russian visitors, 2.8 times higher than in the same period last year. This strong recovery has made Russia the third-largest source market for Vietnam's tourism industry, behind only China and the Republic of Korea.
July 11, 2026 | 16:31
Travel
French Magazine Highlights Must-Try Dishes of Vietnam Cuisine
In early July, French magazine Biba Magazine published an article stating that Vietnam attracts French travelers not only with its landscapes but also with its diverse and refined cuisine. The magazine introduced a range of dishes and culinary experiences that it considers unmissable when visiting the S-shaped country.
July 04, 2026 | 06:43