If you visit Phu Yen, you should not miss Mang Lang, a French-built cathedral dubbed a “precious gem” of the central province.
The Roman Catholic church is 35 kilometers north of the capital city Tuy Hoa. It is one of the oldest churches in Vietnam.
The church was built in gothic style in 1892 by French missionary Joseph Lacassagne. Despite its age, the church looks like it was not affected at all by time.
Built on an area of 5,000 square meters, the ancient church in grayish color, surrounded by green gardens, looks magnificent against the blue sky background.
Inside it features colorful stained glass windows, wood-paneled ceilings and ancient lanterns.
The first book to be printed in the modern Vietnamese script (a catechism) is housed inside the church. The book entitled Cathechismus in octo dies was written by Alexandre de Rhodes, a French Jesuit missionary and lexicographer, who is believed to have played an important role in the creation of Vietnam's modern Latin script.
He wrote it here and printed it in 1651.
Mang Lang Church. Photo: Diem Thu 
The gate of the church is built from rocks.
Statues at the gate
An artificial hill in the church's campus where the book written by Alexandre de Rhodes is preserved
Architectural patterns on the church
Green trees in the church's campus
Patterns on a wooden door of the church
The greyish color of the church
An wooden door of the church
Inside the church
A view of the church
Bamboo wind charms