Beauty in Ruins: Seaswept Church by the Beach of Nam Dinh Province
The northern city of Nam Dinh is known as the home to many beauitful Roman Catholic churches. However, there is an abandoned Church in Nam Dinh province, being swallowed by the sea, yet still attracted many tourists.
Nam Dinh Province – the heartland of the Catholic faith, have attracted a wide range of international and domestic visitors. Of which, Hai Ly collapsed church is an abandoned project.
Currently, only the outer frame of the church still stands. However, the ruined look and the dilapidated brick structure have made this site a famous tourist attraction in recent years.
As the church has deteriorated and partly collapsed, the entire area is now surrounded by fences, preventing visitors from approaching.
 |
| This Church is known locally as Trai Tim Church (literally the Church of the 'heart'). It has been abandoned since 1995 in Xuong Dien Parish, Hai Ly commune, Hai Hau district, the northern province of Nam Dinh. Source: Nhà thờ đổ Hải Lý |
 |
| About 120 km from Hanoi, the former church in Xuong Dien perish remains just a frame with a bell tower. However, it still has its own charm. Source: Nhà thờ đổ Hải Lý |
 |
| The flickering sun at dawn created a unique view for the mossy church which matched well with the beauty of the ocean. Source: Nhà thờ đổ Hải Lý |
 |
| The church was named St. Maria Madalena Church, and built in 1943 Xuong Dien Parish in Hai Ly commune, Hai Hau district, the northern province of Nam Dinh. Photo: nguoinamdinh |
 |
| The architecture of this church was designed meticulously, beautifully and concretely with soft arches, high pillars that support the entire architecture. Photo: pngaviw._ |
 |
| Trai Tim Church is now a popular destination for visitors to Hai Hau. Photo: _linn.98 |
 |
| The church is known by locals as the ruined church. Photo: nguoinamdinh |
 |
| Time and global warming have taken their toll, local Christian followers have made several attempts to move the church inland to protect it from rising sea levels. Also to protect the area, Nam Dinh provincial government has built a strong dyke system, turning it into a tourist attraction. Source: Nhà thờ đổ Hải Lý |
 |
| The local government has made efforts to conserve the church, particularly its bell tower, in a bid to raise public awareness about environmental protection and recognize the local people’s merit in preventing coastal erosion. Photo: mr_billy10 |
 | 10 Specialties of Nam Dinh's Winter Cuisine Banh mi in Do Quan bridge, noodles with deep-fried pork lard in Ngo Ngang market and sticky rice with char siu are most loved in ... |
 | 12 Beautiful Churches in Nam Dinh The northern city of Nam Dinh is known as the home to many beauitful Roman Catholic churches. |
 | Longan Cake: A Sweet Gift For Loved Ones From Nam Dinh Long An cake, one of the most famous sweet treats in Hai Hau District, Nam Dinh Province, always charms every tourists for its delicious and ... |
Related Stories
Travel
Luxury Train From Hanoi To Hai Phong To Be Launched In May
A luxury train connecting Hanoi with the northern port city of Haiphong will begin operations in early May, adding a fresh attraction to Hai Phong’s tourism offerings.
March 27, 2025 | 09:46
National
Vietnam News Today (Feb. 21): Korean Firms Plan to Expand Investment in Vietnam
Vietnam News Today (Feb. 21): Vietnam-Cuba relationship – a model for building a more united world; Foreign visitors show interest in Vietnam as searches for travel rise significantly; Korean firms plan to expand investment in Vietnam; Vietnam and Canada discuss defense cooperation in Hanoi.
February 21, 2025 | 08:10
Recommended
Multimedia
Vietnamese Across Nation Welcome Year of the Snake
As the year of the Snake begins, fireworks illuminate the sky, and crowds in Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City cheer, wishing the country prosperity and its people warmth and happiness.
January 29, 2025 | 01:22
Multimedia
G4 Ambassadors Celebrate Lunar New Year with Vietnamese Song Performance
The G4 ambassadors to Vietnam, representing Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland, performed the Vietnamese song "Nam qua đa lam gi" (What have we done this past year) alongside the Green Wind Choir in a music video filmed at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The video conveys their heartfelt New Year greetings for the Year of the Snake 2025.
January 28, 2025 | 15:50
Multimedia
International Students in Hanoi Eager to Celebrate Tet
On January 14, international students from many countries such as Germany, Hungary, Laos, France, and England, enthusiastically experienced the traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year atmosphere organized by the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi.
January 17, 2025 | 10:17
Multimedia
US Ambassador Sends New Year Greetings in Vietnamese, Praises Bilateral Ties
US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper recently shared his thoughts as 2024 comes to a close and 2025 approaches.
January 09, 2025 | 21:54
![[Photos] India and Vietnam Unite in Friendship Festival 2024](https://vietnamtimes.org.vn/stores/news_dataimages/2024/122024/19/23/b72443a0d3e09c7d133e23a7d221ca07.jpg?rt=20241219234711)
Multimedia
[Photos] India and Vietnam Unite in Friendship Festival 2024
On the evening of December 18 in Vinh Phuc province, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), the Vietnam - India Friendship Association (VIFA) and the All India Peace and Solidarity Organization (AIPSO) jointly organized the opening ceremony of the 12th Vietnam - India People's Friendship Festival.
December 20, 2024 | 16:41
Multimedia
ChildFund Vietnam Joins Hands to Ensure Children's Rights to Education
Over the past two years, the project "My Right to Education - Phase 2" by ChildFund Vietnam has brought positive changes not only to Hao but also to 232 other children with disabilities in Quang Haa district, Cao Bang province.
December 17, 2024 | 10:36
Multimedia
Prevention of Physical and Mental Violence and Discrimination Against Children including Children with Disabilities
After nearly three years of implementation, the project “Prevention of Physical and Mental Violence and Discrimination Against Children, including Children with Disabilities (AVAC)” has achieved many significant outcomes, including the initiatives leading by children which promote the meaningful participation of children in community activities. The project includes three key components implemented by the Research Center for Management and Sustainable Development (MSD), the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights (VACR), and the Institute for Community Development (ACDC). It is funded by Save the Children Hong Kong and coordinated by Save the Children Vietnam.
December 04, 2024 | 17:58
Multimedia
My Forest Child - Journey of Planting Mangrove Forests in Ca Mau
In an effort to respond to climate change, Save the Children, in collaboration with the People's Committee of Năm Căn District, has implemented the "My Forest Child" project. The initiative includes activities such as mangrove reforestation, climate change education for children, and support for sustainable livelihoods in Nam Can, Ca Mau.
November 02, 2024 | 16:25