Mang Lang Church Phu Yen - Ancient heritage over 130 years old

Mang Lang Church – A Historical Witness of "Xu Nau"

Mang Lang Church, also known as Mang Lang Church, is located in An Thach commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen province, about 35 km north of Tuy Hoa city center. Construction began in 1892 under the direction of French priest Joseph de La Cassagne (Co Xuan) and was completed after 15 years. It is the oldest church in Phu Yen and one of the oldest churches in Vietnam, with over 130 years of history.

Located on the banks of the Ky Lo River (also known as the Cai River), Mang Lang Church is not only a religious structure but also a cultural and historical symbol, attracting visitors with its European-style Gothic architecture, peaceful space, and special spiritual value. This is the homeland of Blessed Andrew of Phu Yen, the proto-martyr of Vietnam, who was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000, and is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics.

In particular, Mang Lang Church preserves the first Vietnamese Quoc Ngu book - "The Eight-Day Sermon" compiled by Father Alexandre de Rhodes and printed in Rome, Italy, in 1651. This is a cultural treasure, marking an important milestone in the history of the development of the Vietnamese language.

Why Visit Mang Lang Church?

1. Unique Gothic Architecture: The church features a classic Gothic style with two symmetrical bell towers, a central cross, pointed arches, and intricate stained-glass windows. The characteristic gray-green color blends with the surrounding fields, creating a mysterious and peaceful beauty.

2. Historical and Cultural Value: This place preserves "The Eight-Day Sermon" and precious artifacts such as the mang lang wood table (1.7 m in diameter), along with a basement area displaying the story of Blessed Andrew of Phu Yen.

3. Spiritual and Pilgrimage Site: As the birthplace of Blessed Andrew of Phu Yen, the church attracts Catholics and visitors during major holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and the anniversary of Blessed Andrew (July 26).

4. Virtual Living Check-in: The ancient, mossy space and the lush green campus are the ideal backdrop for nostalgic photos, full of the "yellow flowers on green grass" atmosphere.

History and Origin of the Name Mang Lang

According to the elders in An Thach, more than 100 years ago, this area was a dense forest with many mang lang trees - a tree with oval leaves, purple-pink flowers blooming in clusters, belonging to the bang lang family. When the church was built, the people took the name of this tree to name the structure. Although the mang lang forest no longer exists, the church still preserves a round wooden table made from mang lang wood, 1.7 m in diameter, as a historical mark.

Regarding religious history, Phu Yen was a land that soon received Catholicism from the 17th century. In 1629, Deputy General Nguyen Phuc Vinh guarded Dinh Tran Bien, and his wife, Princess Ngoc Lien, was baptized with the saint name Maria Magdalena in 1636. She established a chapel in Dinh, laying the foundation for the first group of parishioners. In 1641, Father Alexandre de Rhodes came here to baptize more than 90 parishioners, including Andrew of Phu Yen. Mang Lang Church today continues this tradition, becoming the spiritual center of the Diocese of Quy Nhon.

Directions to Mang Lang Church

From Tuy Hoa city, you can get to Mang Lang Church by the following means:

• Motorbike:

  • National Highway 1A Route: Go north for about 33 km to Chi Thanh town, cross Ngan Son bridge, at the intersection turn left onto DH31, go another 2 km to reach the church.

  • Coastal Route: From Hung Vuong Avenue, follow Le Duan Street north, past Tuy Hoa beaches, to Sao Viet intersection (An Chan commune), turn right for about 5 km. This route is beautiful and airy, suitable for sightseeing.

• Car or Taxi: Takes about 40-50 minutes, convenient for large groups. Reference taxi fare: VND 400,000-600,000/trip.

• Bus: Tuy Hoa - Tuy An route, stop at Chi Thanh town, then take a motorbike taxi about 2 km to the church.

Note: There is a parking lot in the church grounds, priced at about VND 3,000-5,000/motorbike. The road is flat and easy to travel, but pay attention to the signs at Chi Thanh intersection to avoid getting lost.

Entrance Fee and Visiting Hours

• Entrance Fee: Free, free admission.

• Opening Hours: 7:00 – 21:00 daily. The basement exhibition area is open from 8:00 – 18:00.

• Ideal Time to Visit: From January to August (dry season), when the weather is sunny, easy to take photos and visit. In particular, March-April has a mild climate, with fewer tourists. Avoid the rainy season (September-November) because the roads are slippery and may affect the experience.

• Mass Schedule:

  • Weekdays: 18:30.

  • Sundays (summer): 5:30, 9:00, 16:00.

  • Sundays (rainy season): 15:00.

Unmissable Experiences at Mang Lang Church

1. Admire Gothic Architecture: Explore details such as bell towers, stained glass windows, and intricate carvings on wooden doors, featuring a blend of Vietnamese culture and European style.

2. Visit the Basement Exhibition Area: Located in an artificial hill, the basement area recreates the story of Blessed Andrew of Phu Yen through sculptures. In particular, you can admire the "Eight-Day Sermon" preserved in a glass case, along with artifacts such as documentary photos and hair of Andrew of Phu Yen.

3. Check-in Ancient Space: Take photos in front of the bell tower, the basement area, or the lush green campus with old trees. The moss on the church walls creates a nostalgic backdrop, ideal for artistic photos.

4. Visit Mang Lang Orphanage: Near the church is an orphanage that cares for orphaned children. Visitors can visit, talk to the children, or contribute to support them.

5. Participate in Festivals: Major holidays such as Christmas, Easter, or the anniversary of Blessed Andrew of Phu Yen (July 26) have many exciting activities, attracting believers and visitors.

6. Enjoy Local Cuisine: Near the church, there are restaurants serving Phu Yen specialties such as banh beo chen, bun cha ca, or tuna eye stew. Reference price: VND 30,000-100,000/dish.

7. Explore Nearby Attractions: Combine exploring Ganh Da Dia (20 km away), Ganh Den, or O Loan Lagoon to enrich your journey.

Notes When Visiting Mang Lang Church

• Attire: Wear polite clothing, avoid short or revealing clothes to show respect.

• Behavior: Keep order, do not speak loudly, do not litter in the church grounds. Avoid sitting cross-legged in the church because this is inappropriate behavior in Catholicism.

• Safety: The basement area has a narrow space, so move carefully. If participating in large ceremonies, keep personal belongings safe because it can be crowded.

• Accommodation: Tuy Hoa has many hotels such as Mandala Hotel & Spa (VND 1,355,000/night) or Rosa Alba Resort (5-star standard). Near the church, there are some affordable guesthouses, priced from VND 200,000-400,000/night.

• Souvenirs: Buy Phu Yen specialties such as fish sauce, dried tuna, or banh it la gai as gifts.

Conclusion

Mang Lang Church is not only a beautiful architectural structure but also a place that preserves the historical, cultural, and spiritual values of Phu Yen. With over 130 years of history, the church is like a silent witness, telling the story of Blessed Andrew of Phu Yen, the first Quoc Ngu book, and the missionary journey in the land of Xu Nau. Whether you are a lover of architecture, passionate about history, or looking for a place to find peace, Mang Lang Church will surely bring memorable experiences. Add this location to your Phu Yen exploration journey to feel the ancient beauty and peace!