The ancient, solemn Hanh Thong Tay Church stands in contrast a bustling Quang Trung Street (HCMC). The church was built in the early 20th century, and has connections to Empress Nam Phuong's family, a fact not many people know. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The ancient, solemn Hanh Thong Tay Church stands in contrast a bustling Quang Trung Street (HCMC). The church was built in the early 20th century, and has connections to Empress Nam Phuong's family, a fact not many people know. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The church was commissioned by Denis Le Phat An, Empress Nam Phuong's uncle, in 1921, on the site of a parish established in 1861. The area was still suburban at the time, with a small Catholic population. The original church was rather modest. Denis Le Phat An invested a lot of money to renovate the building. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The church was commissioned by Denis Le Phat An, Empress Nam Phuong's uncle, in 1921, on the site of a parish established in 1861. The area was still suburban at the time, with a small Catholic population. The original church was rather modest. Denis Le Phat An invested a lot of money to renovate the building. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
Construction took three years and was carried out by a French contractor, inspired by Byzantine architecture. This design is uncommon in Vietnam, featuring large domes and windows to bring natural light in, as well intricate decorations. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
Construction took three years and was carried out by a French contractor, inspired by Byzantine architecture. This design is uncommon in Vietnam, featuring large domes and windows to bring natural light in, as well intricate decorations. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The main dome is up 30 meters high and is topped with crosses. There is a bell tower outside that was originally 30 meters tall, but was chopped down to about 19.5 meters in 1952 due to the site's close proximity to Tan Son Nhat Airport. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The main dome is up 30 meters high and is topped with crosses. There is a bell tower outside that was originally 30 meters tall, but was chopped down to about 19.5 meters in 1952 due to the site's close proximity to Tan Son Nhat Airport. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The sanctuary spans over 500 square meters and is decorated with stone mosaic arts, reliefs, and symmetrical arched columns. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The sanctuary spans over 500 square meters and is decorated with stone mosaic arts, reliefs, and symmetrical arched columns. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
(Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
(Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
(Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
(Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
(Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
(Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The central dome - a hallmark of Byzantine architecture, draws the eye upward and makes one feels humble before the sacred. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The central dome - a hallmark of Byzantine architecture, draws the eye upward and makes one feels humble before the sacred. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
(Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
(Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
There are not many large statues in Hanh Thong Tay Church, unlike the more familiar Gothic architecture. Instead, the church tells stories through stone mosaic artworks. The shimmering stones reflect natural lights and make the walls appear to shift throughout the day. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
There are not many large statues in Hanh Thong Tay Church, unlike the more familiar Gothic architecture. Instead, the church tells stories through stone mosaic artworks. The shimmering stones reflect natural lights and make the walls appear to shift throughout the day. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The color gold is everywhere in the reliefs and mosaics, which is typical of Byzantine architecture. This color is a symbol divine light and power. As sunlight enters through the stained glass, the golden hue comes alive and makes the church feel mystical. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The color gold is everywhere in the reliefs and mosaics, which is typical of Byzantine architecture. This color is a symbol divine light and power. As sunlight enters through the stained glass, the golden hue comes alive and makes the church feel mystical. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
Hanh Thong Tay Church is heavily inspired by the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
Hanh Thong Tay Church is heavily inspired by the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The 102-years-old church still retains much of its Byzantine inspiration, which is difficult to find in modern urban landscape. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The 102-years-old church still retains much of its Byzantine inspiration, which is difficult to find in modern urban landscape. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The church is both a religious landmark and a repository of century-old architectural legacies, where light, stone, and time come together. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)
The church is both a religious landmark and a repository of century-old architectural legacies, where light, stone, and time come together. (Photo: Nguyen The Duong/VTCnews)