Tam Toa Church is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Quang Binh, built in 1886 in Portuguese architectural style. Originally, it was the place of religious activity for Tam Toa Parish, which originated from Dong Hai Parish – one of the earliest Catholic parishes in Vietnam. In 1940, the church was renovated to be more spacious, becoming one of the most beautiful churches in Vietnam at that time. 

However, during the Vietnam War, the church was severely damaged by US air strikes, especially during the bombing raid on February 11, 1965, which leveled the entire structure, leaving only a ruined bell tower riddled with bullet holes.  In 1997, the bell tower was recognized as a Provincial Historical and Cultural Relic and a Evidence of War Crimes, aiming to educate the younger generation about the nation's losses.

Today, the old Tam Toa Church relic (bell tower) remains preserved intact beside the Nhat Le River, attracting history-loving tourists. In addition, the new Tam Toa Church was inaugurated in 2023 on Pham Van Dong Street, Nam Ly Ward, featuring modern stone architecture utilizing over 1,000 natural stone blocks, combining European Gothic and modern styles.   It serves not only as a religious venue but also as an attractive check-in point for visitors.

After the war ended and Vietnam was reunified, the old Tam Toa Church, despite being severely devastated, was kept by the local authorities as a historical relic, evidencing the fierceness of war and the losses suffered by Quang Binh. However, due to the religious needs of the local Catholic community, on July 20, 2009, around 200 parishioners arbitrarily brought materials to the relic area to organize the rebuilding of the church. When Dong Hoi municipal authorities arrived at the scene to demand a halt to the illegal construction, a clash broke out between the two sides, injuring two police officers. The very next day, Dong Hoi City Police prosecuted and arrested seven people involved for investigation into disturbing public order.  

Faced with these disputes, on August 17, 2009, Vice Chairman of Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee, Mr. Bui Xuan Ngau, signed Notice No. 137/TB-UBND on restoring the war remnant grounds of the Tam Toa Church bell tower, officially establishing the position of the old church ruins as a historical site rather than a religious place of worship. To meet the religious needs of parishioners, on April 21, 2016, nearly 7 years after the dispute incident, a new Tam Toa Church commenced construction on a plot of land granted by Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee on Pham Van Dong Street, Nam Ly Ward, central Dong Hoi City, about 3 km from the old church ruins. This new church became the official place of religious activity for Tam Toa parish today, while the old church is still retained as a historical witness to remind future generations of the pain of war.  

Therefore, two Tam Toa Churches currently exist in Quang Binh: one is the old Tam Toa Church relic on the bank of the Nhat Le River, where only the ruined bell tower remains, and the other is the new Tam Toa Church, which serves the religious activities of Catholic parishioners in the area.

The old Tam Toa Church relic is located on Nguyen Du Street, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh, right in the city center by the poetic Nhat Le River. The new church is about 3 km away, on Pham Van Dong Street, Nam Ly Ward.

From Dong Hoi

• Motorbike or taxi: Only 7 km from Dong Hoi Airport and 2 km from Dong Hoi Railway Station. Rent a motorbike for 130,000 - 200,000 VND/day at places like QBTravel. From the center, follow Tran Hung Dao Street and turn right onto Nguyen Du Street.
• Bus: Use low-cost public buses to travel within the city.

With a favorable location right in the city center, visitors have many choices of transportation to easily get to this relic site.  

Situated right beside the poetic Nhat Le River, the Tam Toa Church relic stands solemnly in a quiet space, bearing the marks of time and war. The old sanctuary stood about 10 meters high; although only the bell tower remains, it is still enough to evoke the image of a once grand and magnificent Portuguese architectural work. The ruined walls marked with bomb traces, cracked bricks, and bullet-riddled marks on the bell tower serve as a reminder of the fierce wartime years.  

The area around the relic is carefully fenced for preservation, but this does not take away from its inherent ancient beauty. The grounds are adorned with flower beds, creating a contrast between the fresh colors of nature and the somber gray tones of the old church. Lush green climbing vines weave their way up to the top of the bell tower, like a symbol of life rising from broken ruins. Right in front of the church, a stone stele engraved in two languages records basic information about the relic, helping visitors better understand the historical value preserved here. Amidst the peaceful atmosphere along the bank of the Nhat Le River, the old Tam Toa Church is not just a sightseeing spot, but a witness of time, a symbol of resilience, and memories that will never fade.

When visiting Tam Toa Church, tourists can not only learn about a special historical relic but also experience many exciting activities around this area.

• Visit the old Tam Toa relic: Admire the ancient bell tower over 10m high, learn historical stories through information boards, and take photos in the peaceful space by the Nhat Le River.
• Explore the new Tam Toa Church: The new building stands out with modern stone architecture and grounds covering approximately 2,000m², ideal for visiting, taking photos, and learning about local religious life.

Nearby attractions:

• Ho Chi Minh Square (~1 km away) 
• Quang Binh Museum (~2 km away) 
• Nhat Le Beach (3–5 km away) 
• Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (~40 km away) 

In addition, tourists can rent bicycles or motorbikes to explore Dong Hoi or join a guided city tour to gain deeper insights into local culture and history. 

To ensure a complete and meaningful visit to the Tam Toa Church relic, visitors should keep the following points in mind:  

• Respect the relic space: This is an important historical witness, so visitors should maintain order, avoid climbing the bell tower, or touching fragile parts of the relic.  
• Appropriate attire: Although it is no longer an active place of worship, Tam Toa Church still carries religious and historical value. Visitors should dress politely and avoid wearing overly short or offensive clothing.  
• Do not litter: The relic grounds are carefully preserved, so please be conscious of general hygiene and dispose of trash in designated areas.  
• Mindful photography: Visitors are welcome to take photos freely, but should refrain from crossing protective barriers or engaging in offensive behavior within the relic premises.  

Exploring Tam Toa Church is not only a journey back to a meaningful historical relic, but also an opportunity to experience the tranquil beauty of Quang Binh. Hopefully, this self-guided travel guide from Sovaba Travel will help you have a smooth, complete, and memorable trip. If you need a trip free from schedule worries or navigation hassles, let Sovaba Travel accompany you on all-inclusive Tam Toa relic tour packages, uniquely designed so you can enjoy every moment without any worries.