Phat Diem Cathedral is located in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district of Ninh Binh province, is about 120 kms from Hanoi to the south. This is an oriental complex comprising a lake, a cathedral, a stone church, Phuong Dinh (bell house) and three artificial grottoes with total acreage of 22 hectares.
The complex of Phat Diem cathedral was asserted based on many famous art forms in Vietnam in the 19th century: architecture, construction, stone carvings, wood carvings, being red-lacquer trimmed with gold. This is a Vietnamese-style church with oriental and national styles from small details in sculpture to the overall architecture and individual houses.
At present, Ninh Binh Province and Japanese researchers are completing the records of the architecture of Phat Diem church to request UNESCO to recognize Phat Diem church as a world cultural heritage. Rated as one of the most beautiful church in Vietnam, Phat Diem Cathedral is like the “Catholic capital” of Vietnam. This is a large building and the cathedral church of the diocese of Phat Diem vast in northern Vietnam. The church is built entirely of stone and wood. Phat Diem Cathedral was started in 1875 and was completed in 1898. The unique feature of this project is that although it is a Catholic church, it is modeled after the traditional Vietnamese temple architecture. This architectural complex was gradually built up by Rev. Peter Tran Luc (also known as Six), a priest in Phat Diem diocese from 1865) and Catholic parishes for more than 30 years.
Over more than 100 years, Phat Diem Cathedral is still intact and will remain forever. January 18, 1988 Phat Diem Cathedral was recognized by the Ministry of Culture as historical and cultural relic in Viet Nam.
