Traveling to Hau Giang, visiting Vi Hung Church in Hau Giang, you will have the opportunity to participate in the prayer ceremony with the parishioners, and take beautiful photos. Especially at Christmas, the church will be brightly decorated with sparkling pine trees and intricately designed stone caves in the church grounds.
By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Hau Giang Visitor Guide
1. Better to Know as a Tourist
Ticket: Free
Spend-time: One hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – Dusk
Food:
Shop:
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: https://vemekong.com/vi-hung-church-hau-giang/
Address: In area 2, ward 4, Vi Thanh city, Hau Giang province.
Added values: Going down Xa No canal to near the foot of Xa No bridge, appearing in front of visitors is Vi Hung church with outstanding white color and curved red tile color, many layers of roofs stacked on top of each other.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from Vi Hung Church? Or maybe you found it too crowded here? We’ve got some ideas! Check out our list: Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest & Bird Sanctuary (38 km), Kittyd & Minnied Amusement Park (43 km), Truc Lam Zen Monastery Hau Giang (15 km), Vi Thanh Outdoor Farmers Market (10 minutes), Cau Duc Pineapple Fields (18 km), . . .
2. Travel Guide to Vi Hung Church
Vi Hung Church was founded in the late 19th century by Father Paul Nguyen Thanh Can. At first, the family name was Vi Thanh, then changed to Vi Hung.
In 1890, Vi Hung church was built with a leaf church at Mua Om canal, about 2 km from the present church, there were 15 religious families at that time. From 1897 to 1915, the church was moved to Xa No canal, rebuilt many times with leaves, tiles and tree pillars.
In 1925, Father Peter Cao Phuoc Nhan received the parish priest, started rebuilding the church with solid bricks, roofed with tiles… and inaugurated in 1943 along with the school, rectory, and aunt’s house on the campus. However, this structure was damaged during the war.
In 2007, the old church was demolished to build a new one. Most of the church builders are parishioners in the parish, under the guidance and supervision of the technique and design of Mr. Michael Tran Do. All materials, bricks and tiles were bought from Dong Nai and transported to Xang Xa No canal.
3. What to Do – See – Eat at Vi Hung Church
Experiencing many ups and downs, difficulties mixed with joy and happiness. Vi Hung Church, from a simple church located on the banks of Xa No canal, has now become a magnificent house of God and a tourist destination in Hau Giang that you should not miss.
Built in a spacious and airy campus with impressive architectural interference. Most of the design is in the style of a classical Roman church, but the prominent and curved roof has the look of Vietnamese temples.
The Cathedral is built solidly with 2 floors, and the first floor is the Cathedral. Therefore, the entrance to the Cathedral is connected with a large series of reinforced concrete steps that go directly from the courtyard to the first floor. In addition, on either side of this main staircase are 02 bow-shaped stairs. It is also connected from the outside to the first floor directly, but at first glance, it seems that this is a certain European palace or French house left in Vietnam.
If you stand from the first floor of this Cathedral, spread your eyes to the other side of Xa No Canal, you will get yourself a picture of a peaceful countryside with the main background being the green of the fields and gardens.
Eastern architectural style is expressed through the curve on the roof of the church. According to Father Anton Vu Van Triet, the church was designed on the idea of cultural integration, so the architecture of Vi Hung church is similar to the architectural style. Vietnamese culture and art have existed for a long time such as the royal court, communal house and pagoda.
The arches of the church doors are inspired by Gothic design style with a pointed spire pointing up to the sky. The window frames are designed in arches according to Roman architecture.
Western architecture is featured through Tracery glass doors, consisting of many different colored cells put together, taking in the natural light outside to highlight the image on the doorway.
Up to now, after 130 years, the church still keeps many works and artifacts from the old churches. Including the statue of the holy family built in 1956 and the mountain of Our Lady of Lourdes built in 1974.
4. Free Itineraries from VeMekong
As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.
From Hau Giang center:
Route 1:
Route 2:
Route 3:
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Hau Giang. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Hau Giang daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
5. Google Maps of Vi Hung Church
Google Maps made a name for itself helping people travel from one place to another, avoid traffic (You probably know the route from your hotel to the gas station by heart, but what you can’t be sure about is gridlock), measure a distance, get back to the hotel on time, share the location…
6. Visit Vi Hung Church by yourself
Solo traveller? Travelling on your own means you will get out of any difficult situations by yourself. This, in turn, leads to more satisfying travel experiences and helps you improve your problem-solving skills. These days we rarely get the chance to sit with ourselves and simply be. That’s why you should consider the time you spend alone on your trip as a gift.
It is possible for solo travellers to use google maps and do it alone. But sometimes they need to update local maintained roads and bridges which close and lead you a longer road than the road from google maps. It is just about the time. It takes more time to find the correct garden to come. Adventure is always fun. Wifi is strong in Hau Giang village! The locals find it hard to speak English as well. Top tip: Sticking to one canal and keeping going along it which gives you more things to see and avoids getting lost. Contact vemekong.com to hire a car, scooter with English-speaking-guide or cycling tours in Hau Giang.
7. Responsible Travel and Advice to Visit Vi Hung Church
Don’t get us wrong. But we assure you that you totally agree with us. “Do not give candy and things to the children when you plan to visit any local villages”, the kids will leave the school and follow the sweets and later they find some things to give you or sell to you. The garden is a little forest, don’t pick and touch the flowers or fruits without the local’s smiles. We deal with traveling green and leaving green behind, not plastic. Top tip: Vemekong.com are some of the companies that care a lot about responsible travel and local respectation.
8. Amazing Video flycam/drone of Vi Hung Church (4k)
If a picture says a thousand words, it stands to reason that the video says many times more.
9. Incredible Tips for Photography, Specialists, KOLs, Media and Influencers
To get the best of the best for your unique writing, featuring, photo, video and insider’s stories. We do recommend you to have a local travel expert, the one who always gets more ground information and makes sure every single element is solved perfectly. Vemekong (very exclusive Mekong) team is your priority choice. Email and have a private talk with them to customize your journey smoothly, personal and the most ultimately amazing. You can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
10. Pro Tips
You can stay in a homestay which is near the riverside, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself and I hope you have an amazing Mekong Delta river sunrise.
If you plan to extend your travel to Hau Giang homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Hau Giang or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Hau Giang responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Hau Giang food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Hau Giang cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Cau Duc pineapple, Hau Giang’s Bronze Featherback Fish Cake, Cai Tac’s Pork Organs Porridge…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Hau Giang in the rainy season, as Hau Giang always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Hau Giang tourist attractions are magnificent itself, but if you have enough time, don’t forget to put other places onto your bucket lists such as Lung Ngoc Hoang Forest, Nature Reserve & Bird Sanctuary, Kittyd & Minnied Amusement Park, Truc Lam Zen Monastery Hau Giang, Vi Thanh Outdoor Farmers Market, Bo Tum Vong Say Khmer Pagoda, Like Coffee Shop in Hau Giang, Phung Hiep Bamboo and Rattan Craft Village, Tu Sang Bamboo Garden Hau Giang, Cau Duc Pineapple Fields, Tam Vu ecotourism area, Long My Stork Garden,Ba Bai Base, Chuong Thien Cultural & historic site, Vi Hung Church, Xa No Park – Xa No Canal…
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Hau Giang province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Thank you
