Untold story of a 100-year-old church on the back of turtle-shaped rock
The old church in Dong Chiem village (An Phu, My Duc, Hanoi) was built over 100 years ago on a rocky ledge.
 |
| Dong Chiem Church (An Phu, My Duc, Hanoi) was built over 100 years ago. According to Mr. Luong - a Cell Secretary of Dong Chiem village said that in the past, the land on which the church was located was a rocky ledge. The builder of this church was a French who went to Vietnam to indoctrinate. (Photo: Vietnamnet) |
 |
| The church is surrounded by rocky mountains, from which one can admire the whole scene of Dong Chiem village. (Photo: Vietnamnet) |
 |
| Those built a century ago, the church is well-preserved and shows no sign of degradation. (Photo: Vietnamnet) |
 |
| (Photo: Vietnamnet) |
 |
| This photo shows the main gate of the church. According to Luong, the gate was originally made only from stone. In recent years, regional Christian contributed to repair and rebuild the stars. (Photo: Vietnamnet) |
 |
| When seen from afar, the church and its stone base look like a turtle floating on the water surface. (Photo: Vietnamnet) |
 |
| As said by the elderly in the village, the adhesive that was used to build the church was a mix of sugarcane syrup and additives. (Photo: Vietnamnet) |
 |
| The church architecture is a combination of French style and Indochina details. (Photo: Vietnamnet) |
 |
| On the doorstep of the church lies a couple of "nghê" - one of Vietnam's folk animals, which normally only appears in temples or pagodas. It is unclear why statues of this animal were built before Dong Chiem church. (Photo: Vietnamnet) |
 |
| According to the church's priest, the couple of "nghê" serves as a decorative detail and a sign of cultural interference. (Photo: Vietnamnet) |
 |
| The church is recently chosen by young couple as a location to take wedding photos, Mr. Nguyen Manh Ngu, Vice Chairman of An Phu People's Committee said. (Photo: Vietnamnet) |
 | Unspoiled beauty in coastal 'Fallen church', northen Vietnam With unique architecture and pristine beauty, the Fallen church, in Nam Dinh province is a must-see destination in northern Vietnam. Given its close proximity to ... |
 | A Serbian writes a great inspiring novel in Vietnamese after 4 years of learning The Serbian Marko Nikolíc is the first foreigner to publish a novel in Vietnamese, marking a milestone with his first publication of “Phố Nhà Thờ" ... |
 | The hottest "Harry Potter"church in Nam Dinh The nearly hundred-year-old church in Nam Dinh province has recently become an interesting tourist destination for explorers. |
Tags:
Related Stories
National
Vietnam News Today (Apr. 3): PM Pham Minh Chinh Proposes Stronger Cooperation in Forensic Examination with Belarus
Vietnam News Today (Apr. 3): PM Pham Minh Chinh proposes stronger cooperation in forensic examination with Belarus; Vietnam, Mexico bolster substantive and sustainable agricultural cooperation; Ho Chi Minh City promotes logistics supply chain cooperation with US state, Summer tourism festival expected to spark travel demand in Ho Chi Minh City.
April 03, 2026 | 08:00
Viet's Home
Exciting Thai Culture Festival Opens in Hanoi
From March 27 to 29, the "Thai Rhythm Festival in Hanoi 2026" took place at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, centered on the theme “Creative Life – Creative Rhythm”. This free, open-to-public event was organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi.
March 30, 2026 | 10:43
Recommended
Travel
Vietnamese Passport Reaches Highest Rank in 11 Years
In the March ranking of the Henley Passport Index, Vietnam’s passport rose seven places compared to 2025, ranking 84th and reaching its highest position in the past 11 years.
March 18, 2026 | 15:54
Travel
Vietnam Tourism Attracts French Visitors
Vietnam is increasingly affirming its appeal to French tourists thanks to a harmonious combination of diverse natural landscapes, rich cultural identity, and the country’s dynamic development.
March 18, 2026 | 11:43
Travel
Vietnam's New Competitive Advantage in Tourism
In the global tourism landscape, cuisine is becoming a special "language" for countries to define their image and win over tourists. With its rich and distinctive culinary traditions, Vietnam has a great opportunity to transform its culinary culture into a national asset.
March 08, 2026 | 18:10
Travel
Vietnam’s Tourism Sector Kicks Off 2026 with 14 Million Tet Holiday Arrivals
During the nine-day Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday of the Year of the Fire Horse 2026, Vietnam’s tourism sector welcomed approximately 14 million visitors, marking a 12% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The spring tourism landscape recorded balanced growth in both domestic and international arrivals, spreading from major urban centers to numerous localities and generating momentum toward the sector’s 2026 growth targets.
February 25, 2026 | 14:28
Travel
Vietnam Remains One of the World’s Most “Affordable” Destinations in 2026
According to the French online newspaper Journal du Net (JDN), Vietnam is emerging as one of the world’s most affordable destinations, particularly attractive to Europeans seeking a place to live or enjoy an extended stay.
February 22, 2026 | 10:15
Travel
Nearly 4,200 Cruise Passengers “First-Foot” Da Nang During the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo 2026
In the early days of the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo 2026, Da Nang consecutively welcomed international cruise ships carrying nearly 4,200 European and American visitors for sightseeing tours. The arrivals created a vibrant atmosphere from the very beginning of the year and signaled a promising start to the city’s marine tourism season.
February 20, 2026 | 16:16
Travel
International Arrivals to Vietnam Hit New Record in 2025, up Over 20%
The year 2025 marked an impressive growth milestone for Vietnam’s tourism sector, as the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached an all-time high, increasing by more than 20% compared to 2024 and far exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels.
January 10, 2026 | 08:16
Travel
New Year’s Day 2026: Vietnam’s Tourism Makes Impressive Start with 3.5 Million Visitors
During the New Year’s Day holiday of 2026 (from January 1 to January 4), Vietnam’s tourism sector is estimated to have welcomed and served approximately 3.5 million visitors.
January 06, 2026 | 15:10