Ancient European features in the Basilica of So Kien Ha Nam

The Basilica of So Kien (Duomo di So Kien), also known as Ke So Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Kien Khe Town, Thanh Liem District, Ha Nam Province. It is one of the oldest and largest churches of the archdiocese of Hanoi and served as the diocesan cathedral from 1882 to 1936. So far, So Kien Church is the only building in Vietnam with a campus planned and built in the style of an Italian duomo church complex. On 24 June 2010, the Congregation for Worship of the Holy See decreed the elevation of the church of So Kien to the status of the emirate of the basilica bearing the title of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. So far in Vietnam, there are only 4 basilicas, namely: So Kien Church (Ha Nam), Phu Nhai Church (Nam Dinh), La Vang Church (Quang Tri) and Notre Dame Saigon Cathedral (Ho Chi Minh City). Ho Chi Minh City). Visiting So Kien Church, you will admire the magnificent beauty of a European spiritual and cultural work. The architecture of the church includes the main church, the bishop's building and the seminary, including a tall tower hanging 4 bells with the sound of Do - Mi - Sol - Quiz weighing up to 2.5 tons.  Typical of most churches in the West, the exterior walls of the church are made of red brick and feature stained-glass windows depicting saints or biblical events. The mossy color of the years has covered the columns and walls of the church, creating a bold and ancient scene in the middle of the gentle and peaceful land of Ha Nam.  Inside the church there are 4 rows of main columns, divided into 5 vertical compartments, with a capacity of up to 5000 people. Whether it is the exterior architecture or the interior space, So Kien Church is extremely elaborate, sophisticated and has great significance for Catholics. Not only a place of worship, So Kien church also has a special attraction for tourists because of its unique architecture. When you come here, choose a suitable outfit for yourself and find a beautiful corner to have an impressive souvenir photo as if you are lost in Europe of the old years. Photo: Uyen Nguyen Synthetic Migo