2. Tra Co Cathedral

Tra Co Cathedral

Situated in Tra Co Ward, Mong Cai City, Quang Ninh Province, Tra Co Cathedral was built in the 80s of the 19th century and restored in 1995. The old buidling covers a spacious area (130m Long x 30m wide), features sections with a Chinese brick roof and limestone walls mixed with shells. This is where ceremonies take place every Sunday or during holiday for fishmen to pray for peace for offshore fishing boats. Tra Co church was recognised as the largest and the most beautiful churches in the Northeast of Vietnam thanks to its sophisticated architectural features and hundreds of intricate sculptures. The history of the church began around 1857, when many Catholic families found refuge in the Tra Co peninsula. The church was built as a result of a significant increase in Catholics in the area. After multiple restorations the 100 year-old church fell dramatical degraded. In early 2017, it was removed and rebuilt in 2018. According to Father Ngo Van Vang - Chief of Tra Co Parish, the new building will retain the patterns and motifs of the old church, yet on a larger scale to meet the needs of nearly 1,500 Catholics in the area.