The church, in Bao Thanh Commune in Yen Thanh District, has a tiled roof and, remarkably, both its interior and exterior constructed entirely of stone.
It is not only a religious site but also a sightseeing destination that attracts many tourists.
Outside the main door is a large compound with greenery. The place sprawls over 7,000 square meters.
Nguyen The Linh, visiting from Vinh City at the end of May, was captivated by its beauty and unique architecture.
Father Nguyen Sy Huong, the parish priest, says the stone used to build the cathedral was quarried in the Lam Son Mountains in neighboring Thanh Hoa Province. The church took 16 years to build, and opened its doors in 1904.
The most prominent feature is a 28-meter bell tower. At the top of the tower is a weather cane with a rooster.
The tower has three bronze bells weighing 800 kilograms, 400 kg and 180 kg.
The interior of the church is dome shaped and Linh describes it as "simple, quiet and dignified."
The roof, made from large carved stone blocks, was assembled in stages to ensure durability and aesthetics. According to the priest, the cathedral can accommodate 1,500 faithful during ceremonies.
The stained glass windows inside the cathedral depict saints and apostles in vibrant colors. When sunlight shines through, the paintings become sparkling, creating a magical atmosphere inside.
The stone keeps the insides cool even in summer. Father Huong says the church is considered to have excellent acoustics.
The church is 37 meters long and 14 meters wide. The edges of the roof are adorned with 24 spires, each 2.5 meters high, with sculpted patterns.
Situated 200 meters away is the Bao Nham Rocky Mountain, another religious and sightseeing spot.
It has a blend of natural and artificial scenery along the way. At its 91st step is a cave that is six meters high and five meters wide and revered by locals as a place to worship the Virgin Mary.
From the top of the mountain, 40 meters up, one can get a panoramic view of Nghe An, with its rooftops and vast rice fields.
Except during mass, visitors can explore Bao Nham Church every day of the week. Its compound has many trees and lakes that make for pleasant viewing.
Visitors to Bao Nham can also explore other famous sites in Nghe An such as Thanh Chuong tea hill and Con Temple, considered the most sacred in the area.
