The historic Bui Chu Cathedral in northern Vietnam, built in the 19th century, is considered one of Vietnam’s architectural gems. Now, it is regarded as a danger to its congregation.

August 1 saw the cathedral’s two 25-meter belfries, the last sections of the building still standing, demolished as workers busily began clearing the building's foundations. 

Constructed in 1885 during French colonialism, Bui Chu Cathedral serves many of the 412,000 Catholics who call the northern province of Nam Dinh home.

It is the oldest Roman Catholic diocese in Vietnam, boasting nearly half a century of Catholic history in the country since the first wave of European missionaries arrived in 1533. 

Decades of use with little maintenance had left the church in a state of disrepair, posing a risk of collapse and raising safety concerns amongst churchgoers.

After years of consideration, it was decided in 2016 by a council of priests and local followers that the current church had to be dismantled to make space for a newer, safer construction.   

While the new church will bear striking similarities to the original, only the 17-metric-ton sculpture from the top of the building will be saved and placed in front of the new cathedral.  

No other materials or architectural details of the old church will be re-used in the new church.

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