Da nang Cathedral Mass Schedule (Da Nang Pink Church)

Da Nang Cathedral — affectionately known as the Pink Church or Rooster Church (Nhà thờ Con Gà) — is the only church built by the French in Da Nang during the colonial era and one of the city’s most photographed landmarks. Below you’ll find the up-to-date Mass schedule (including the Sunday English Mass), visiting hours, entry rules and how to get there from Hoi An.

Da Nang Cathedral Mass Schedule (Weekly)

Da Nang Cathedral celebrates Mass every day. For international visitors, the most convenient service is the English Mass on Sunday at 10:00 AM.

Christmas & Easter (Holy Week) Liturgy

During the two great seasons of the Church year, Da Nang Cathedral holds additional celebrations on top of the regular schedule. Exact dates and times are announced by the parish a few weeks in advance each year, but the pattern is generally as follows:

🎄 Christmas

On Christmas Eve (24 December) there is usually an evening Vigil at the outdoor Nativity stage followed by the Christmas Eve Mass. On Christmas Day (25 December) Masses are held through the morning, typically including an English Mass around 10:00 AM. The cathedral and its Nativity display are beautifully decorated and draw large crowds, so arrive early.

✝️ Holy Week & Easter

Holy Week brings the year’s most solemn services: Palm Sunday (blessing of palms), the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening, followed by Easter Sunday Masses. Some weekday morning Masses are suspended during the Triduum.

Visiting Da Nang Cathedral

How to enter

The main gate on Tran Phu Street is generally open only during Mass. Outside Mass times, sightseeing visitors enter through the side gate on Yen Bai Street. Entrance is free — ignore anyone near the gate trying to sell “tickets,” as no ticket is required.

Visiting hours

The cathedral welcomes visitors Monday to Saturday, roughly 08:00–11:30 and 13:30–16:30. On Sundays it is reserved for Mass and generally closed to casual sightseeing, so plan a weekday visit if you mainly want photos of the interior.

Dress code & etiquette

As an active place of worship, please dress modestly — clothing should cover the shoulders, chest and knees, with appropriate footwear. Keep your voice low inside, and note that photography and filming are not permitted during Mass. Outside of services you’re free to take photos of the architecture.

How to Get to Da Nang Cathedral from Hoi An

Da Nang Cathedral sits in the heart of Da Nang, about 30 km (roughly 45 minutes) north of Hoi An. The most flexible way to visit — and to explore Da Nang’s other sights like the Dragon Bridge, My Khe Beach and the Marble Mountains on the way — is by motorbike or scooter. Parking is easy to find on the surrounding streets.

A Brief History of Da Nang Cathedral

The identity of the first person baptised in Da Nang, or the first Vietnamese Catholic to settle here, remains unknown. Records show that Fathers Baudet, Marquette and Fuciti were assigned to oversee the Catholic community at Han Port, but on 3 February 1665 they were ordered to leave Vietnam by Lord Hien.

According to a 1700 report by Father Rival to the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP), Lord Nguyen’s troops searched the church at Han Port on Palm Sunday. By 1741 the Han Port parish still had 80 parishioners. A later report from Father Halbout records that by July 1775 the parish had been completely destroyed by the Tay Son forces, and from 1775 to 1885 Han Port Parish disappeared from the history of the Vietnamese Church.

After the Van Than movement disbanded in 1885, many Catholics from other regions resettled in Han Port under the care of Father Maillard, pastor of Phu Thuong Parish. The exact date the parish was formally re-established is not documented, but Father Laurent (known as Cố Chính) served from 1887 to 1904, and it has been under continuous pastoral care ever since.

The present church was built between February 1923 and September 1924. On 14 September 1924, Bishop Grangeon of Qui Nhon and Bishop Allys of Hue consecrated it, dedicating the church to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On 18 January 1963 the Diocese of Da Nang was established, and on 1 May 1963 Da Nang Church was honoured as the Cathedral of the new diocese. The Grotto of Our Lady, modelled after the Grotto of Lourdes in France, was inaugurated on 11 February 1940 under Father Santuaire (Cố Bính).

The Unique Architecture of the Rooster Church

Nearly a century after it was built, the Rooster Church (Nhà thờ Con Gà) remains one of Da Nang’s most beloved landmarks. Its most striking feature is the main bell tower, standing 70 metres tall and surrounded by ten smaller towers. At the very top, above the lightning rod, sits a symbolic grey rooster made of alloy.

According to the parish priest, the rooster is not a symbol of France but represents repentance and awakening, referencing the Gospel line: “Before the rooster crows tonight, you will disown me three times.” Locals also say the rooster serves as a weathervane, its position hinting at coming changes in the weather — much like the famous rooster church in Da Lat.

The cathedral was built in classic Gothic style, with diamond-shaped archways and stained-glass windows portraying key events from the Bible — a blend of Vietnamese, French and broader Western influences. The interior is simple yet solemn, with columns carved in delicate patterns, while the Grotto of Our Lady behind the church adds a serene, sacred touch.

Frequently Asked Questions