Tranquil Lang Song Church in Binh Dinh province

The tranquil Lang Song (River Village) Church in the south central province of Binh Dinh was one of the first three facilities to print books in Quoc Ngu, the Vietnamese writing system based on the Roman alphabet. The other two printing houses are Tan Dinh in Saigon and Ninh Phu in Hanoi. Passing through a fragrant roundabout, the church appears in the midst of the hundreds-years-old trees, creating a magical and peaceful painting. The rule of multiple Chinese dynasties had shaped Vietnamese culture and literature from 207 BC to 939 AD. As a result, the official Vietnamese language was written in classical Chinese (Nho), followed by the development of native Vietnamese script (Nom), before the adoption of Quoc Ngu. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The church was called “Lang Song” as it was once surrounded by fields and rivers in Quang Van village, Phuoc Thuan commune, Tuy Phuoc district, the south central province of Binh Dinh. However, its name on the signboard at the gate was faded with time, and the church was then called “Long Song” owning to the local residents’ pronunciation. Long Song has become the name of the church until now. The church is an extraordinary art and a truly Gothic architecture. Gothic architecture is a European style of architecture that values height and exhibits an intricate and delicate aesthetic. Though its roots are French, the Gothic approach can be found in churches, cathedrals, and other similar buildings in Europe and beyond. While the Gothic approach appears to be a novel form of architecture, its signature style has been shaped by different influences. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The church has an ancient appearance, characterised by European Gothic architecture with sharp arches and many windows. Initially referred to as Opus Francigenum, or “French Work,” this architectural genre dominated European tastes—namely, that of the Roman Catholic Church – until the 16th century, when it became known as “Gothic.” The Gothic style evolved from Romanesque architecture, a medieval aesthetic characterized by arches, vaulted ceilings, and small stained glass windows. Gothic architecture adopted and adapted these Romanesque elements to produce a new style of building that featured exaggerated arches, increased vaulting, and enlarged windows. In addition to reinterpreting these characteristics, however, Gothic architecture also abandoned one key feature of Romanesque architecture: thick walls. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The beauty of ancient Gothic European architecture with sharp arches and multiple windows will be the fulfillment for the perfect trip to Binh Dinh province. The church was built with the Gothic architecture, which is most familiar as the architecture of many of the great cathedrals, abbeys and parish churches of Europe. Lang Song has the ancient and noteworthy landmark with over 2,000 square meters and more than 200-year-old trees. Especially, tourists will surprise with the image of natural treasures like birds under the old canopy flickering through the branches to welcome them in every morning. Thanks to the poetry and peaceful beauty, this place is the ideal destination for many couples to held their weddings. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

This can be easily recognised as the main hall of the minor seminary is decorated with symmetrical frames, wind flower decorations, patterns and pointed archway typically of minor seminary architecture. While the Gothic style can vary according to location, age, and type of building, it is often characterized by five key architectural elements: large stained glass windows, pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and ornate decoration. Gothic architecture focused on height and light despite being constructed from heavy stone, Gothic cathedrals seem to defy the laws of gravity. Common traits include pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, all of which enabled the structures to be built taller and stronger. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

In the early days, the church was called “Lang Song” as it was once surrounded by fields and rivers in Quang Van village, Phuoc Thuan commune, Tuy Phuoc district, the south central province of Binh Dinh. However, its name on the signboard at the gate was faded with time, and the church was then called “Long Song” owning to the local residents’ pronunciation. Long Song also means meaning river-bed.  At first glance, the facade of Lang Song minor seminary is very similar to ancient Saint Paul Cathedral built by the Portuguese in Macao. While it is not as epic and massive as Saint Paul Cathedral, Lang Song minor seminary somehow still preserves its ancient architecture. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The rule of multiple Chinese dynasties had shaped Vietnamese culture and literature from 207 BC to 939 AD. As a result, the official Vietnamese language was written in classical Chinese (Nho), followed by the development of native Vietnamese script (Nom), before the adoption of Quoc Ngu. While Lang Song is the first three facilities to print books in Quoc Ngu, the defunct Thanh Chiem Palace (1602-1883) is seen as a cradle of romanised Vietnamese script, and the place was linked with Portuguese missionary Francisco de Pina (1585-1625)- the founder of the Vietnamese language – and then his student French missionary Alexandre de Rhodes (1591-1660). (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Francisco de Pina – one of the first westerners who came to the country to teach Christianity, studied Vietnamese language and created the romanised Vietnamese script. He had helped the romanisation of Vietnamese script to make missionary work easier. Many Vietnamese people were able to learn to read and write more easily thanks to the creation of the romanised Vietnamese script. Only three percent of the Vietnamese population could write in Han Chinese script before Pina’s creation. Roland Jacques, professor from University of Saint Paul, Canada wrote in a report that de Pina drew up as of 1622 an ambitious plan to explore the Vietnamese language, and he decided to create the romanised script, with the help of educated young men and a number of linguistic tools. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

These tools would allow foreigners to master the language in its best form and entice the Vietnamese to develop their own language without depending upon the stiff Chinese model. The writing system, based on the Roman alphabet, was officially adopted in schools and in the administration of Vietnam in 1919. Jacques’ report also unveiled that one tool was the transcription of phonetics into a Latin-based sophisticated system: the script known today as “Chu quoc ngu” (national romanised Vietnamese script). Alexandre de Rhodes learnt Vietnamese from Pina and then updated the Vietnamese language from localities in the north of Vietnam. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The front of the church is quite similar to the architecture of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Macau. The whole church is located in the middle of mound and all of its architectural features have still remained intact so far. The Lang Song printing house was built around 1872 and was destroyed in 1885. In 1904, the Lang Song printing house was rebuilt by Father Damien Grangeon Man, assigned father Paul Maheu to be its director. Father Paul Maheu studied printing in Hong Kong, and he was proficient at printing skills. In 1922, under the direction of Father Maheu, the Lang Song printing house printed 18,000 periodical newspapers, 1,000 copies of books, 32,000 other publications, and 1,500 Loi Tham newspaper in Indo-China. Total publications of the Lang Song printing house (Quy Nhon) in the year were up to 63,185 publications with 3,407,000 pages. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Lang Song is also known as Dong Dang Trong printing house, one of the three largest printing houses at that time (along with Dang Ngoai and Tay Dang Trong printing house). The Lang Song printing house was operated until about 1936 and moved to Quy Nhon. The printing house today displays original and copies of publications in Quoc Ngu put out locally. In order to visit the showroom, visitors need to contact the church in advance, who will organize an accompanying guide. Records show there was a large investment in printing machinery at Lang Song. In 1904, business flourished, making the printing house famous under direction of Father Paul Maheu, who studied printing in Hong Kong. At the time, many major writers in the south such as Truong Vinh Ky and Le Van Duc also sent their manuscripts here. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The printing house used to produce books in Latin, French and Quoc Ngu, all of which are preserved in the original form, republished or have its covers displayed at the church. In 1910 alone, the publishing house produced up to 25 books in Quoc Ngu and the rest in French, totaling 36. Statistics in 1922 show the house printed 18,000 newspaper periodicals, 1,000 books of all kinds and 32,000 other publications, one of which was 1,500 copies of a semi-monthly paper distributed across the entire Indochina, the term used by the French colonial regime for the region in the 19th and 20th centuries (including Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Publications are displayed chronologically according to publication dates. Old books are preserved in a closed glass case. The printing house today displays original and copies of publications in Quoc Ngu put out locally. In order to visit the showroom, visitors need to contact the church in advance, who will organize an accompanying guide. Visitors are expected to follow house rules to avoid any disturbance. The seminary is open from 7 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., and 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The printing house is located in the Lang Song Church, about 20 km from the center of Quy Nhon city in the south-central province of Binh Dinh. The other two printing houses are Tan Dinh in Saigon and Ninh Phu in Hanoi. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Surrounding the church are two-storey French-style buildings. They include lecture halls and accommodations for students training for priest-hood. In the Lang Song minor seminary’s campus still has the fundamental of the Lang Song printing house. The printing house is established by Father Eugene Charbonnier Tri. The Lang Song printing house is also known as Dong Dang Trong printing house, one of the three largest printing houses at that time (along with Dang Ngoai and Tay Dang Trong printing house). The Lang Song printing house was built around 1872 and was destroyed in 1885. In 1904, the Lang Song printing house was rebuilt by Father Damien Grangeon Man, assigned father Paul Maheu to be its director. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The church has an ancient appearance, characterised by European Gothic architecture with sharp arches and many windows. Initially referred to as Opus Francigenum, or “French Work,” this architectural genre dominated European tastes—namely, that of the Roman Catholic Church – until the 16th century, when it became known as “Gothic.” The Gothic style evolved from Romanesque architecture, a medieval aesthetic characterized by arches, vaulted ceilings, and small stained glass windows. Gothic architecture adopted and adapted these Romanesque elements to produce a new style of building that featured exaggerated arches, increased vaulting, and enlarged windows.  Dragging the feet to the gate of the Lang Song Church, visitors will be dazzled by its architecture, and feel like they are walking in the middle of the ancient Europe. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Lang Song is also known as the Dong Dang Trong printing house, one of the three largest printing houses at that time (along with Dang Ngoai and Tay Dang Trong printing house). The Lang Song printing house was operated until about 1936 and moved to Quy Nhon. The printing house today displays original and copies of publications in Quoc Ngu put out locally. In order to visit the showroom, visitors need to contact the church in advance, who will organize an accompanying guide. Records show there was a large investment in printing machinery at Lang Song. In 1904, business flourished, making the printing house famous under direction of Father Paul Maheu, who studied printing in Hong Kong. At the time, many major writers in the south such as Truong Vinh Ky and Le Van Duc also sent their manuscripts here. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The Lang Song printing house was built around 1872 and was destroyed in 1885. In 1904, the Lang Song printing house was rebuilt by Father Damien Grangeon Man, assigned father Paul Maheu to be its director. Father Paul Maheu studied printing in Hong Kong, and he was proficient at printing skill. In 1922, under the direction of Father Maheu, the Lang Song printing house printed 18,000 periodical newspapers, 1,000 copies of books, 32,000 other publications, and 1,500 Loi Tham newspaper in Indo-China. Total publications of Lang Song printing house (Quy Nhon) in the year were up to 63,185 publications with 3,407,000 pages. It was the first three facilities that print books in Quoc Ngu, the Vietnamese writing system based on the Roman alphabet. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Not only a place with religious and historical value, the Lang Song Church has also become a tourist attraction. One of the most Instagram-able spots at the campus is 14 trees dating back 130 years. Visitors are expected to follow house rules to avoid any disturbance. The seminary is open from 7 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., and 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Lang Song Church is one of the tourist destinations in Binh Dinh. This church has a unique architecture and is associated with many historical events of Vietnam. The tranquil church was once surrounded by fields and rivers in Quang Van village, Phuoc Thuan commune, Tuy Phuoc district, the south central province of Binh Dinh. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Quy Nhon city in Binh Dinh province has become a tourism hotspot in the south central region in recent years. The city is blessed with a 42km long coastline, abundance seafood and diverse topography comprising mountains, forests, salt marshes, plains, lagoons, lakes, rivers, peninsulas and islands. Eo Gio and Ky Co are the most famous attractions in Quy Nhon. Eo Gio is situated between two tall rocky cliffs that drop straight into the clear waters of the sea below, giving it a beautiful crescent shape. Ky Co Beach located on Nhon Ly Island, 25 km away and a 20-minute boat ride from Quy Nhon, is fondly known as the “Maldives of Vietnam” Ky Co is surrounded by magnificent rocky mountains and the turquoise sea. The best time to visit Quy Nhon is from January to August when the weather is relatively warm most of the time. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Located between the busy coastal hotspots of Nha Trang and Hoi An cities, Quy Nhon, the capital of Binh Dinh province, stands as a quieter, less touristy destination. Most people here are fishers who head out to sea or swing along the coast in coracles to earn their living. Those who do visit the town rave about the long, broad sandy beaches that are relatively less crowded. It has even been called Vietnam’s Maldives. Besides the beach, the city, once an important commercial centre under the Nguyen dynasty, offers tourists historic structures and performances of Vietnamese marital arts and classic drama. Quy Nhon is known as the cradle of traditional martial arts in Vietnam, and hosts the country’s biggest biennial traditional martial art festival. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

It would be a wonderful experience to wake up early at around 5 a.m. and rent a motorbike to drive up to Thi Nai Bridge, only three kilometers to the east of Quy Nhon city, and wait for the sun to rise. The seven km-long bridge, which opened to traffic in 2006, is considered one of the longest overpasses in Vietnam, connecting Quy Nhon with Phuong Mai Peninsula. It is not just a great place to watch daybreak. It is also a vantage point to watch daily life unfold on Thi Nai Lagoon as local residents row their small boats and pull out the catch of the day. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Quy Nhon is blessed with a 42 km coastline, and has been dubbed the “Maldives of Vietnam”. One of the most beautiful beaches here, one that has got rave reviews from travelers and bloggers, is Hoang Hau (Queen), just two km from downtown Quy Nhon. Hoang Hau got its name because Queen Nam Phuong, consort of King Bao Dai, chose the place for a private holiday with her husband in 1927. Bao Dai was the last king of Vietnam, reigning from 1926-1945. What makes the beach unique and distinct are the round stones like giant birds’ eggs that cover hundreds of square meters. This is why it used to be called Da Trung (stone egg) Beach. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

From the downtown area, drive 22 km in the direction of Thi Nai Bridge and visitors will arrive at Eo Gio Beach, which charges 25,000 VND (over 1 USD) to enjoy the smooth sands. The long seaside promenade has been compared to the Republic of Korea’s Jeju Island. The waves are very strong here and it is not advisable to go bathing here; save your swimsuits for Ky Co Beach. Ky Co enchants with its calm, crystal-clear blue waters, smooth yellow sand and pristine condition. There are not tourism services here aside from one restaurant where you can take a shower and get changed. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Binh Dinh province is considered a paradise in Vietnam’s central region for its many pristine beaches and islands as well as its cultural and historical sites. They include Hon Kho, Eo Gio, Ham Ho, Phuong Mai Sand Dunes, Cu Lao Xanh, Cham tower system, famous art of bai choi(a diverse art combining music, poetry, acting, painting and literature) and traditional festivals such as martial arts and specialties of aromatic flavours. The province also houses one of the first facilities that print books in Quoc Ngu, the Vietnamese writing system based on the Roman alphabet. The Lang Song printing house today displays original and copies of publications in Quoc Ngu put out locally. In order to visit the showroom, visitors need to contact the church in advance, who will organise an accompanying guide. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The church’s exact date of foundation and original features remain unclear since it burned down in 1885. It was not until 1904 that the printing house was rebuilt, operating until 1936 when it was relocated to Quy Nhon. The printing house today displays original and copies of publications in Quoc Ngu put out locally. To visit the showroom, visitors need to contact the church in advance, who will organize an accompanying guide. Records show there was a large investment in printing machinery at Lang Song. In 1904, business flourished, making the printing house famous under direction of Father Paul Maheu, who studied printing in Hong Kong. At the time, many major writers in the south such as Truong Vinh Ky and Le Van Duc also sent their manuscripts here. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The printing house used to produce books in Latin, French and Quoc Ngu, all of which are preserved in original form, republished or have its covers displayed at the church. In 1910 alone, the publishing house produced up to 25 books in Quoc Ngu and the rest in French, totaling 36. Statistics in 1922 show the house printed 18,000 newspaper periodicals, 1,000 books of all kinds and 32,000 other publications, one of which was 1,500 copies of a semi-monthly paper distributed across the entire Indochina, the term used by the French colonial regime for the region in the 19th and 20th centuries (including Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). (Photo: VietnamPlus)