Hai Ly Church

Hai Ly Church, also known as Nha Tho Do Hai Ly, is a ruined Catholic church on the coast of Hai Ly Commune in Hai Hau District, Ninh Binh Province. Originally built in 1877 and rebuilt in 1943, it was abandoned after coastal erosion and storms left it isolated on the beach. Its roofless brick shell with arched windows and Gothic details is notable as a photographic landmark and symbol of coastal change.

Visitors can expect a roofless, weathered brick church standing directly on the sandy beach facing the sea. The structure retains outer walls, arched doorways and window frames but no roof or interior fittings. The surrounding area is an open beach with fishing boats, sand and sea views. Visitors can walk around the exterior, view the ruins from the beach at low tide, and take photographs. There is no active worship inside the ruin.

The original church was built in 1877 to serve the local Catholic community. It was rebuilt in 1943 with Gothic-influenced brick architecture. Due to sea encroachment and damage from storms and typhoons, particularly from the 1990s to 2000s, the surrounding settlement retreated inland and the church was abandoned. The remaining shell has been preserved as a ruin and landmark.

The church reflects the long-standing Catholic heritage of Hai Hau District, one of the centers of Catholicism in northern Vietnam. Although no longer used for worship, it remains a culturally significant landmark for the local community and a symbol of the relationship between the coastal villages and the sea.