Aside from the Notre Dame Basilica, we frequented Huyen Sy (or Huyen Si) Church during our stay in Ho Chi Minh City. Only after I conducted further research in the internet, was I able to know that this particular church is called Huyen Sy.
Huyen Sy is one of five biggest churches in Ho Chi Minh City and is frequented by visitors and Catholic worshippers. It is located, at the corner of Nguyen Trai and Ton That Tung Streets in District 1 of HCMC. It was built in 1902 according to the architectural direction of Father Boutier and its construction was financed by Huyen Sy,the grandfather of Queen Nam Phuong, the wife of Vietnam’s last king, King Bao Dai. Hence, the Church was named after him.
Though I was at first surprised to see the prevalence of Catholicism in Vietnam, I was so amazed how well designed their churches were. In this particular church that we visited, they have this replica of the Our Lady of Lourdes, complete with the cave and testimonials from those who experienced God's healing hands through her intercession.
Our Lady of Lourdes
We even attended the Sunday evening Holy Mass though it was celebrated in Vietnamese. We just celebrated it in English though. What can I say, Faith knows no boundaries. We even purchased images of the Our Lady of La Vang, perhaps the most revered image of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vietnam.
At night, the Huyen Sy Church is adorned with lights that add magnificence and charm to it. I have not seen anything quite like it here in the Philippines. Nonetheless, the Church's interior is even more impressive.
We will surely visit and say our prayers at Huyen Sy Church once we get to visit Ho Chi Minh City again.
The Mass has ended
Outside looking in...
St. Joseph and the Child Jesus
Angel of God My Guardian Dear... 
Wonderful photos! Glad you enjoyed Vietnam's travel experience. Regarding Huyen Sy church, I just want to add that it is among 10 or so churches built by the French in Saigon, not "1 of 5 biggest churches in Saigon"
ReplyDeleteMany of the articles written by the Vietnamese presses and newspapers are based on personal observation, not research.
Here is my link if you want to see more of the French churches in Saigon:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34064421@N08/
Saigon has over 200 churches. After the 1990s, many churches are being upgraded and rebuilt, as a result grandeur churches hold thousands are found in all the hidden neighbourhood and narrow alley ways. Huyen Sy is nothing in comparison.
If you're interested in seeing Vietnamese churches, you have to visit northern Vietnam. Thousands of grand and opulent French and Vietnamese wooden churches are being built and renovated in the past 20 years.
Here is some example of Vinh's diocese:
http://giaophanvinh.net/modules.php?name=Picasa
http://giaophanvinh.net/modules.php?name=News&op=viewcat&catid=3
Bui Chu Diocese
http://www.thanhcavietnam.org/forum/showthread.php?t=31861
http://www.thanhcavietnam.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11530
examples of only 2 dioceses out of 25 in VN. Merry Christmas :)
Joseph
If you're into photography and churches, these pages give a glimse into Vietnamese' northern churches
ReplyDeletehttp://www.panoramio.com/user/4944390/tags/-%20Nh%C3%A0%20th%E1%BB%9D%20%28Church%29?photo_page=1
http://www.panoramio.com/user/4974548/tags/Nh%C3%A0%20th%E1%BB%9D%20%C4%91%E1%BA%A1i%20di%E1%BB%87n%20%28Church%29?photo_page=3
With over 6000 beautiful churches in Vietnam, no body knows about them, even Vietnamese living in Vietnam. Communication and government restriction is tough for Catholism in Vietnam. If you get the chance to visit Vietnam again, please take the time to visit them.
Best Regards
Joseph
Hi Joseph,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the helpful links that you gave. I am really impressed by your knowledge of Catholicism in Vietnam. And thanks for giving the correct info.
I'd surely visit and study all the links that you gave. Hopefully my wife and I will be back in Vietnam next year. We really enjoyed the place.
Huyen Sy is just the church nearest to Bui Vienh, so we were able to attend a mass there. We also went to the Notre Dame, too bad it was closed at that time and I understand from other visitors that taking of photographs inside the Basilica are not allowed.
Again, many thanks and Merry Christmas!
Oliver
It's not a knowledge, it's a passion :)
ReplyDeleteChurches are the norm in Europe and America, not Asia, that's why it's so interesting to find and learn about them.
Until fews years ago when I discovered all these beautiful churches in Vietnam I'm overwhelmed. Then I started to explore the churches of other asian countries and I just loved it. Philipines with their grand baroque and bazantines churches, India with Georgian - romanesque churhes, China, Japan, Indonesia etc. It was like a whole new discovery.
You could take pictures inside the Saigon Notre Dame, it's just closed most of the time, not by the church, but the state. Years ago when conflicts between the churh and state was at their height, the basillica was forced to shut down completely. Tourists were surprised and questioned the sign "under construction".
The philipines might be the luckiest Christian country in Asia, elsewhere in the region churches are still suffering. Just like 2010 in Son La Vietnam, Catholic were forbidded to celebrate Christmas and Easter. The police guarded every neigbourhood and alley ways, they made sure no one prayed or putting up any religious display. Priest from other regions came in Son La were arrested.
The churches of Asia are still suffering until this day. So please pray for them. I'm planning to do Asia-Tour in a couple of years to visit all the holy Christian churches, hopefully I will put up a website to introduce all of these places for the world to see :)
God Bless
Joseph
Hi Joseph,
ReplyDeleteYour passion is admirable. Yes, you are correct in saying that freedom of religion is a sacred right here in the Philippines. The government respect not only us Catholics, but others such as Islam, Buddhist, and Taoist as well. As Filipinos say, "It's more fun in the Philippines." :)
When you visit us here in the Philippines during your planned Asia-Tour, I would gladly help you in looking for the best churches. I can give you tips or if time permits, my wife and I can show you around. Just inform me in advance so that I can make the necessary adjustments to my work schedule.
I hope you will push through in making your website. Feel free to send me a link so that I can visit it once in a while.
God Bless you always.
Oliver