In the photos, St Joseph’s Cathedral looked a bit shabby to me. In reality, however, I was surprised by just how monumental it is. The two massive towers and the tall façade really stand out, especially when you find yourself standing right in front of them.

The interior is also well worth a visit, and admission is free. Just make sure to plan your visit to avoid the long midday break.

🏨 A hotel just a few steps from the cathedral: Hanoi L’Heritage Diamond Hotel & Spa – check prices and availability – is situated right on Nha Chung Street. A convenient location for walks around the cathedral and Hoan Kiem Lake. You can find further recommendations in the article ‘Where to stay in Hanoi’.

What will you see?

The Neo-Gothic cathedral was completed in 1886 and its architecture was inspired by Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The two bell towers are over 30 metres tall.

Inside, take note of the high vaulted ceiling, the colourful stained-glass windows and the altar with its gilded decorations. I recommend allowing about 10–15 minutes for a quick tour of the interior.

You’ll find plenty of cafés in front of the cathedral and in the surrounding streets. This makes it a great place to stop off whilst strolling through the city centre.

Admission and opening hours

• 💰 Admission: free.
• 💳 Payment: not required.
• 🕒 Monday–Saturday: 8.00 am–11.00 am and 2.00 pm–8.00 pm.
• 🕒 Sunday: 7.00 am–11.30 am and 3.00 pm–9.00 pm.

For a peaceful visit, I recommend the morning or early afternoon. Evening opening hours also include church services, during which sightseeing may be restricted.

Where can you find the cathedral?

The cathedral stands at the end of Nha Tho Street, to the west of Hoan Kiem Lake. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the lake’s shore.

Outside of services, the interior can be accessed via a side entrance from the grounds at 40 Nha Chung. A closed main gate therefore does not necessarily mean that the whole cathedral is closed.

You can combine this walk with a visit to Ngoc Son Temple or Hoa Lo Prison.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Hanoi.