St. Nicholas Cathedral

St. Nicholas Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church in Đà Lạt, Vietnam, built on a hill in the center of the city. Two bell towers with rounded arch windows frame the nave, while a tall central spire rises above the roofline and dominates the surrounding streets.

French colonial authorities began building the church in 1931 under the guidance of French architects. Work on the interior continued until the consecration in February 1942, when services officially started.

The building takes its name from Saint Nicholas of Myra, a saint widely venerated in Europe whose devotion became part of Vietnamese Catholic practice. Local worshippers gather here for services that follow the Latin Rite, maintaining traditions introduced during the colonial period and adapted over time.

Those who wish to visit the cathedral can find it on a hill in the city center, easily reached on foot. On Sundays, several services take place, and visitors are welcome as long as they show respect during worship.

A brass rooster weathervane sits on top of the central bell tower cross, installed in 1934. Locals often call the building Chicken Church because of this distinctive feature, which has become part of the cityscape.