St Joseph's Cathedral - Hanoi - Vietnam
Inaugurated in 1886, St Joseph's Cathedral is situated at 40 Nha Chung Street, not to far from the western banks of Hoan Kiem Lake.
With its huge square towers and a some what stark if not gloomy look, as it's walls are now colored am imposing gray, the site of St Joseph's once use to be the location of the oldest Pagoda in Hanoi, Bao Thien (Chua Bao Thien). However it was destroyed by the French to make way for the Cathedrals construction.Masses at the Cathedral are held daily at 5am and 5pm (Vietnamese Language). While the massive doors of the Cathedral are open between 5am - 7am and 5pm - 7pm.
Every hour the bell echo's through the small streets and the school that faces St Josephs. Travelers can often see school kids at the front of the Cathedral playing or kicking around a soccer ball.
The Cathedral is a great spot to visit, while the street the runs up to front of the building, Nha Tho Street, is lined with great cafes and restaurants' as well as some of Hanoi's hippest fashion and handy craft shops!