January
17.7°C ~ 64°F
11 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
Phat Diem Cathedral
A 19th-century Catholic cathedral built in the style of a Vietnamese temple, in stone and wood.
- Location
- Ninh Binh
- Time needed
- 45 min – 1 hour
- Entry fee
- No entrance fee found in…
- Best months
- Mar – May
Overview
Phat Diem Cathedral is a Catholic complex in Kim Son district, built in the late 19th century under Father Tran Luc. It mixes European and Vietnamese design: the roofs and wooden pillars look like those of a temple, while the plan follows a church. The grounds hold a large stone bell tower, a lake and several smaller chapels.
It is still an active parish, so dress modestly and keep quiet during Mass. Phat Diem is about 25 to 30 km from Ninh Binh city, and many visitors include it on a countryside trip.
Highlights
- The wooden main cathedral with temple-style roofs
- The stone bell tower and the lake
- Smaller chapels in the grounds
- Local life in Kim Son
Visitor information
| Opening hours | Daytime; avoid Mass times for sightseeing |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | No entrance fee found in the guides checked; donations welcome |
| Time needed | 45 min – 1 hour |
| Best time of day | Morning |
| Good for | Architecture fans, history lovers, photographers |
| Accessibility | Open grounds; wooden floors inside |
| Facilities | Cafes in the nearby town |
Prices and hours can change. Check the official source before you go.
Best time to visit
Weather in Ninh Binh by month.
February
18.6°C ~ 65°F
9 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
March
21.7°C ~ 71°F
10 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
April
24.8°C ~ 77°F
9 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
May
27.7°C ~ 82°F
17 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
June
30°C ~ 86°F
17 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
July
29.5°C ~ 85°F
19 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
August
28.5°C ~ 83°F
24 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
27.3°C ~ 81°F
23 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
October
24.7°C ~ 76°F
16 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
November
22.1°C ~ 72°F
10 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
December
18.3°C ~ 65°F
7 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
How to get there
- From Ninh Binh centre
About 25 – 30 km from Ninh Binh city, roughly 45 minutes by taxi or motorbike.
- Phat Diem Cathedral
Tips before you go
- Dress modestly and keep quiet
- Avoid Mass times when sightseeing
- Combine with Van Long or Trang An
- Go in the morning
Location
Kim Son, Ninh Binh
More attractions in Ninh Binh
FAQs
Is there an entrance fee?
No entrance fee was found in the guides checked. Donations are welcome.
Is it a working church?
Yes, so dress modestly and avoid Mass times.
How far is it from Ninh Binh city?
About 25 to 30 km.
Destination guideNinh Binh travel guideNorth Vietnam · 10 attractions