{"id":11039,"date":"2022-04-21T17:50:35","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T09:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=11039"},"modified":"2022-04-21T17:50:35","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T09:50:35","slug":"mang-lang-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/mang-lang-church\/","title":{"rendered":"M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church: Ph\u00fa Y\u00ean Gothic Building, Home To The First Book Written In Modern Vietnamese Script"},"content":{"rendered":"

M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church – ancient Gothic Catholic building in Ph\u00fa Y\u00ean<\/h2>\n
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Ph\u00fa Y\u00ean, a province in south-central Vietnam, is famous for many natural landscapes and historical sites related to the Champa Kingdom. However, when coming here, you should also not miss M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church<\/strong>, a Catholic building with a history of more than a century.<\/p>\n

Every year, the church welcomes lots of visitors and pilgrims as it is the birthplace of the first Vietnamese Christian martyr, as well as the home of the first book written in Qu\u1ed1c ng\u1eef<\/em>, the modern Vietnamese script.<\/p>\n

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It was one of the oldest churches in Vietnam<\/h3>\n
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\"Mang
\nThe front of M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church with recognizable Gothic architecture<\/em>
\nImage credit: Tu\u1ea5n Tiramisu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church is an ideal place for you to explore the architecture and history of Catholics in Vietnam. In fact, this is one of the oldest Catholic churches in the country.<\/p>\n

Based on the design of Priest Joseph de La Cassagne, the church opened in 1892, making it the oldest church in Ph\u00fa Y\u00ean.<\/p>\n

\"Mang
\nThe interior of M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church<\/em>
\nImage credit: L\u01b0u Quang L\u1ed9c<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church is distinctive for its Gothic architecture, which originated in the 13th century and features lots of intricate patterns and flowery details. On the front, the church has a big yellow rose window and two symmetrical bell towers on the sides. The portals leading to the chapel also have asparagus-like shapes.<\/p>\n

Plus, the faded blue color gives the church a sense of mystery and solemnity. Because of this architecture, M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church may remind you of cathedrals of the same style in Europe or even the Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon and the St. Joseph Cathedral in Hanoi.<\/p>\n

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It is the birthplace of the first Vietnamese Christian martyr<\/h3>\n
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\"Mang
\nThe artificial hill in front of the church. A statue of Blessed Andrew of Ph\u00fa Y\u00ean is on the top of the hill.<\/em>
\nImage credit: \u0110\u1eb7ng T\u1ea5n Kha<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

An interesting thing you may find when visiting M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church is the story of Blessed Andrew of Ph\u00fa Y\u00ean, the first Christian martyr in Vietnam. M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng, the area of this church, was also the native home of Andrew of Ph\u00fa Y\u00ean.<\/p>\n

Andrew of Ph\u00fa Y\u00ean was born into a religious family in around 1624. In July 1644, he was captured in Qu\u1ea3ng Nam while going on a missionary trip and later executed. Some say that his body was buried in the St. Paul Cathedral in Macau and that his head was brought back to the Vatican.<\/p>\n

\"Mang
\nThe chapel inside the hill with an altar of Blessed Andrew of Ph\u00fa Y\u00ean.<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/em>Huy Karin<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Every year, lots of Catholic followers come to M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church on the 26th of July to celebrate Andrew’s martyrdom and pray for the Catholic youths in Vietnam. In the yard of the church, you may spot a golden statue commemorating him.<\/p>\n

Moreover, people also made a small hill across the front of the church. Beneath this artificial hill is a chapel where you can see several illustrations and read about this blessed martyr.<\/p>\n

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It keeps the first book written in modern Vietnamese script<\/h3>\n
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\"Alexandre_de_Rhodes_Latin_Vietnamese_Catechism_2\"
\nThe first page of Ph\u00e9p gi\u1ea3ng t\u00e1m ng\u00e0y
\nImage credit: Alexandre de Rhodes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For history and linguistic buffs, M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church is a wonderful location to visit as it is this is the keeping place of Ph\u00e9p gi\u1ea3ng t\u00e1m ng\u00e0y, <\/em>meaning the Catechism Divided Into Eight Days, the first-ever book to be written in qu\u1ed1c ng\u1eef<\/em>, the modern Vietnamese script.<\/p>\n

Written by Alexandre de Rhodes and printed in Rome in 1615, the book is now kept in good condition in the chapel inside the artificial hill opposite the church front. As it is exhibited in a glass box, you can have a look at the first two pages. Though you can also buy a copy of this book in many bookstores across Vietnam, it is fascinating to read the original copy with your own eyes.<\/p>\n

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M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church<\/h3>\n
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M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church is an intriguing attraction for both religious visitors and history buffs. It is the place to celebrate Blessed Andrew of Ph\u00fa Y\u00ean, the first Christian martyr of Vietnam. The first document in the modern Vietnamese script can also be found here. The Gothic aesthetics of this church is also worth checking out in case you want some impressive shots for your Instagram feed.<\/p>\n

M\u1eb1ng L\u0103ng Church<\/strong>
\nAddress:<\/span><\/strong> An Th\u1ea1ch Hamlet, Tuy An District, Ph\u00fa Y\u00ean Province
\nOpening hours:<\/span><\/strong> 7AM-9PM, Daily
\nEntrance fee: <\/span><\/strong>Free<\/p>\n

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