During your trip in Da Nang, besides admiring the beautiful natural scenery and enjoying many delicious dishes, you should not miss out on an opportunity to visit Da Nang Cathedral. This destination is not only a famous tourist attraction but also a special place for Catholics. This article will provide you with interesting information about this significant Da Nang cultural site.
1. Where is Da Nang Cathedral? What’s interesting about its name?
- Location: No. 156, Tran Phu Street, Hai Chau 1 Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
Da Nang Cathedral has a lot of names, such as Tourane Church or Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. However, local people are more familiar with the name of Rooster Church, as there is a grey chicken statue on the church’s roof. It is made of light hollow alloys and coated with a special layer of chemicals.
Since the church is located on Tran Phu Street, it is very convenient for tourists to move from Dragon Bridge or Han River Bridge to Da Nang Cathedral.
- From Han River Bridge, turn left onto Yen Bai Street and continue about 1 kilometer to get to Da Nang Cathedral.
- From Dragon Bridge, turn right onto Bach Dang Street, then turn right onto Pham Phu Thu Street. Turn left onto Tran Phu Street and go straight to reach Da Nang Cathedral.
2. The establishment and development history of Da Nang Cathedral
The church was designed and supervised by priest Louis Vallet and constructed on a vacant lot on Rue du Musée Street (now Tran Phu Street). The cathedral’s construction began in February 1923, and the facade was completed only a few months later (September 1923). On March 10, 1924, the church was opened to serve the French Catholics who lived in Da Nang at the time. The name of the church then was Tourane.
On September 14, 1924, Bishop Grangeon of Quy Nhon and Bishop Allys of Hue blessed the church. They also named it Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The church’s diocese was established on January 18, 1963. Its first appointed bishop was Bishop Peter Maria. In that same year, the church was designated as Da Nang Cathedral.
3. Explore Da Nang Cathedral with 4 great experiences
However, there are various exciting activities that you can do at this well-known cathedral.
3.1. Admire the architectural beauty of the cathedral
Da Nang Cathedral has been in operation for nearly 100 years. However, the church’s enduring beauty, featuring unique European architecture, has not faded over time.
The cathedral was designed in a classical Gothic style, with oval-shaped door rings. The glass windows depict biblical events as well as the interaction between Vietnamese and French cultures. The interior is simply and sacredly decorated, with delicate patterns carved into the columns. Furthermore, behind the church is the grotto of Our Lady.
The main bell tower, which stands 70 meters tall and is surrounded by ten smaller towers, is the church’s highest point. A gray chicken statue made of alloy stands above the church’s roof. According to the priests, the chicken represents repentance and awakening. It also shows the wind direction, so people often use it to predict whether it will be rainy or not.
3.2. Learn about the religious values of Catholicism
As one of the biggest churches in the coastal city of Da Nang, Da Nang Cathedral serves the local Catholic community of over 4,000 parishioners every day. If you want to have an accurate understanding of the religious values of Catholicism, it is highly recommended that you visit the church. Daily services are held in various languages, with English-spoken sermons on Sundays at 9.00 am.
3.3. Take unique photos in front of Da Nang Pink Church
The cathedral is well-known for its distinct beauty, particularly its lovely pastel pink color. You will have extremely cool backgrounds to take tons of attractive pictures at any corner of the church.
3.4. Attend masses or events held on weekends and holidays
If you go to the church on the weekend, you can attend the solemn ceremony and learn about Catholic rituals. Especially on Christmas, Da Nang Cathedral attracts a large number of locals and tourists and is magnificently decorated.
Da Nang Cathedral mass time is 5.00 am and 5.00 pm (from Monday to Saturday) and on Sunday at 5.00 am, 6.30 am, and 4.30 pm. As Pink Church Da Nang serves as a lively place of worship for thousands of Catholic believers in Da Nang, there would be no seat available if you are late for Da Nang Cathedral mass times.
4. What should you pay attention to when going to Da Nang Cathedral?
- Da Nang Cathedral is free and open to the public. If you are asked to buy tickets online or at the church’s entrance, it is likely that they are scammers.
- Dress politely and avoid wearing short, revealing clothes.
- Do not talk loudly, listen to music, take pictures, or film during the ceremony.
Besides visiting Da Nang Cathedral, it is recommended that you explore other famous tourist attractions in Da Nang like Linh Ung Pagoda, Cham Museum, Da Nang beaches, etc. You can also combine visiting Da Nang with Hue and Hoi An Ancient Town for more exciting experiences. During your trip to Hoi An, VinWonders Nam Hoi An will definitely be the perfect destination for you and your family. This world-class amusement park offers all sorts of exciting activities in its 5 subdivisions:
- Adventure Land: A place where thrill-seeking tourists can put their bravery to the test by participating in heart-pounding games
- Island of Folk Culture: A place that shows the authentic architectural features from every region of Vietnam and vividly recreates Vietnamese traditional craft villages
- Water World: A water paradise with slides and pools for kids, families, and friends, as well as 11 exciting games to keep you cool this summer
- Harbor Corner: A place where cultures collide, where you can immerse yourself in a space of contrasting cultural elements from the past to present, from the East to the West
- River Safari: Vietnam’s first and largest river safari, with over 50 species and 550 individuals of rare animals
Book tickets of VinWonders Nam Hoi An here
Da Nang Cathedral, one of the symbols of Da Nang city, is a must-visit Danang tourist attraction for those who are obsessed with the beauty of French architecture. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam’s beautiful coastal city of Da Nang, make sure to include this location in your itinerary!