As one of the churches with the oldest history in Vietnam, Mang Lang stone church in An Thach Commune, Tuy An District, Phu Yen Province, is an attractive destination for tourists. Not only does it have unique architecture, but it also preserves many unique cultural values.
Mang Lang Ancient Church
The locals said the church was named Mang Lang because in the past there were many ‘mang lang’ trees, which had large canopies, oval leaves, and purple flowers. Unfortunately, this tree has now disappeared, leaving only traces of a round wooden table with a diameter of 1.7 metres, made from the wood of the ‘mang lang’ tree, from the time when the church was built.
Mang Lang Church was built in 1892, designed in Gothic architecture with many harmonious decorative patterns, in combination with artistic features of Vietnamese culture. This is shown through the intricately carved lines on the main door. Entering the cathedral, visitors will feel the attractive beauty of antiquity, which emanates from the characteristic blue-gray walls that have faded over time. Compared to other churches in Vietnam such as Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Phu Nhai Church, Tra Co Church, Con Ga (Chicken) Church and the Wooden Cathedral, Mang Lang Church is not too large and the interior is not too fussy. However, perhaps that simplicity is what makes this church so attractive and special.
Today, Mang Lang Church keep and preserves the book entitled "Eighth-day Sermon", the first printed book with 319 pages, in the national language of the country. The book was printed in 1651 in Rome (Italy) and compiled by cleric Alexandre de Rhodes. Over hundreds of years, the book has been carefully preserved and solemnly displayed in a glass box. Visitors can read the first page of the book in bilingual form, including Latin (left) and the early national language of Vietnam (right).
Existing for more than a hundred years, Mang Lang Church is like a historical witness and a unique architectural work. Coming to Phu Yen, in addition to the rocky reefs and the steppe where there are "yellow flowers on green grass" and the long beaches, perhaps this place is also a favourite destination for many people on a trip, to experience the central region.
Quoc Thai - Translated by NDO