Notre Dame Cathedral

Sapa holds a significant piece of France’s colonial history from 1893 to 1954, during which the Stone Church, an enduring remnant of that era, stands tall. Among the few surviving structures are the Stone Church, Hoang Lien Hotel, and the Sapa Tourism Information Centre. Nestled at 1,500 meters above sea level and over 300 km from Hanoi, Sapa remained secluded and underdeveloped during French colonial rule, resulting in the absence of European architectural influences.

Initially used sparingly for religious worship, this church began services in 1935, paused during the Japanese occupation (1940-1945), and resumed until 1954. After a period of disuse, restoration efforts began in 1995, softening strict regulations and revitalizing the church for worship.

Inside, the church's interior is a vibrant contrast to its rugged exterior. White, yellow, and brown tones from varnished wood dominate the space. 32 stained glass windows, depicting biblical scenes, adorn the walls. Among regional churches, Sapa's Stone Church stands out, offering a unique experience.

What's fascinating is the congregation, primarily from the local minority ethnic groups, notably the Hmong. Situated in Sapa's main square, this church hosts diverse events, including the renowned Saturday night Love Markets.

Once a tradition for hill tribes to find partners from different villages, the Love Markets symbolize a bygone era. Though the practice has dwindled, visitors can still witness performances that once played a role in uniting young individuals from various communities.

The Stone Church, an emblem of Sapa's history, not only represents architectural heritage but also stands as a testimony to cultural traditions that have evolved over time.

📍 Notre Dame Cathedral
🚙 Hàm Rồng, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lào Cai 333100, Vietnam
📌 https://maps.app.goo.gl/M278LhJRB5RYSrRb7
⏰ 6:00am - 9:00pm
🌎 https://nha-tho-da-sapa.business.site

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An exquisite church that been exist since French colonial era and it well maintained until now. The place located just in front of amphitheater where many people from Hmong ethnic usually there to make a living. When you're in Sapa, this is one of many things you can visit, whether to take a picture of it or just to admire.

Stunning Cathedral, or so my map app insists. Personally, I haven't stepped inside. My role was more of a casual stalker, admiring from a safe, non-committal distance. It does have a certain 'je ne sais quoi' from the sidewalk, though!

My first time experience might be a little different with other that see this place in afternoon or night time and filled with tourist or sellers. I arrived in Sa Pa early in the morning (4.30 AM) using sleeper bus service and the fog was so thick when we stroll around the city to find available accommodation.

The church area is deserted, so quiet, with its gothic style, white stone built and surrounded by smoke of cold fog. I have to say it gave me awesome horror movie vibes..i like it! The ambience feels calming and grounding..i don't know how to explain it,but its a nice feeling of being welcomed..

Located near Sa Pa Town Center and Sun Plaza Sa Pa Station. Nice architecture and unique design.

It was a majestic church in down town Sa Pa, as i visited at night time, no enter allowed.

A small cathedral church in the center of Sapa city
The building is quite unique and there is a glass mosaic inside
No cameras are allowed inside the church

Church is situated in front of sapa station near to sapa square must visit place in sapa it takes 15 min to visit full church hardly built by the French in 1895 , it's free for visit and the timing is 8am to 6 pm

A church that carries the history to the Catholic faith in Sa Pa.

Beautiful church ⛪ in Sapa

The best experience in my life here.
Every day is always a new day for me.
The church open at 6 a.m to 10p.m every day. You can visit inside the church, should to keep quiet, prim, polite. The mass time: 7p.m every day, one more Mass on Sunday at 9a.m

It’s nice to have a Gothic architecture in Sapa, Lao Cai province, Vietnam. This Notre Dame Cathedral was built by French in 19th century.
Today Sapa is great choice for tourists with good climate as well as lots of traditional local cultures to discover.
Highly recommended.

It's nice to come here

nice little church
mass held daily
situated near the sapa station

I visites Sapa in a rainy summer day. However the weather in there was so cool like a autumn day.
About foods and drinks, from my point of view, it was just plain, but thing I like the most was the landscape, such as “ruong bac thang”. Due to the rain, I couldn’t go to many places as I planned. But I was still so happy.

A small cathedral in Sapa town. The unique features are the stained glass. You could visit the cathedral when not in service by the side door entrance.

One of the remaining colonial landmark in Sapa. You can't just avoid but go pass by this attraction all the time. Beautiful from the outside indeed.

Great Cathedral! The morning mass is very mesmerizing! Please if you have any chance to join the Mass, then it's a lifetime experience!

The only Catholic Church in Sapa town, beautiful all the time, one of the four church was built by stones in Vietnam

Very beautiful church in Sapa Town! Day and night also great!
Saturday night have a night market with a lot of Hmong and Red Dao people selling hand craft things around!