Phát Diệm Cathedral
Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Phát Diệm Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral dedicated to Mary. Built in 1899, it is one of the most looked-up sights in Vietnam, ranking 27th among the country's sights on English Wikipedia.
Planning a visit
The best time to visit is during the cooler months from December to February, when daily highs are between 20 °C and 21 °C and rainfall is low. From May to October, the weather is warmer with daily highs reaching 30 °C to 32 °C, but this period also sees significantly more rain, peaking in September with 369 mm of rainfall.
The cathedral is located 107 km from Hanoi. For air travel, Tho Xuan Airport in Thanh Hóa is 67 km away, and Cat Bi International Airport in Haiphong is 105 km away. Travelers can combine a visit here with other nearby locations such as Hoa Lư Ancient Capital, which is 22.3 km away, the Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex, 24.9 km away, or Bái Đính Pagoda, located 30.5 km from the cathedral.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 32 °C. The wettest is September, with about 369 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 20 | 21 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 24 | 21 |
| Average low, °C | 15 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 16 |
| Rainfall, mm | 29 | 28 | 51 | 75 | 184 | 180 | 212 | 310 | 369 | 282 | 79 | 30 |
| Rainy days | 8 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 19 | 13 | 9 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
