VietNamNet Bridge - 120 km from Hanoi, the Bui Chu parish in Xuan Truong district of Nam Dinh province has more than 100 churches. The parish is busy preparing for Christmas.

Bui Chu Church. Photo: Svbuichu

Bui Chu diocese is located in Nam Dinh Province, surrounded by the two rivers of Red and Day. In 1640-1954, Bui Chu was the area for missionary work. In 1960, the Bui Chu was upgraded to the diocese. Bui Chu is the smallest diocese in terms of area but it has the highest number of parishioners in Vietnam.

Coming to Bui Chu, tourists not only visit the oldest parish but also admire numerous churches with beautiful and impressive architecture.

In Bui Chu, each village has its own church. Church bells echo across the near and far fields everyday. Bui Chu parishioners earn their living by growing rice, making salt and doing some craft trades.

Phu Nhai Church. Photo: Svbuichu.

Van Loc Church. Photo: Svbuichu

There are many beautiful churches in Bui Chu diocese. The most prominent church is the Bui Chu Cathedral in Xuan Truong commune.

The church was built in 1884 under the French rule. For over 100 years, the church still stands with ironwood pillars and beautiful patterns, deserving to be the mother church of the churches in the diocese.

Another magnificent church that was built in the Gothic architecture is the Phu Nhai Church, which is a symbol of love of the Bui CHu parishioners to the Virgin Mary.

The Ninh Cuong Church located on the fertile alluvial bank of the Ninh Co River, besides the Kien Lao and Sa Chau churches are also the most-visited places in Bui CHu. There are also a lot of beautiful churches worth of visiting in this diocese.

In the Christmas season, the parish is bustling with preparations for Christmas Eve. The churches are beautifully decorated and parishioners from many regions will flock to Bui Chu to celebrate Christmas Eve.

Pha Le