Hải Lý is an abandoned church located by the Xuong Dien beach of Nam Dinh Province in Vietnam. Designed by French architects and built in the 1943 in a coastal village in the province, the church is now mostly destroyed due to beach erosion over the years. This Church is known locally as Trai Tim Church (literally the Church of the ‘heart’). It has been abandoned since 1996 when sea invaded inland more than 1 km long so that a number of large village buildings such as churches were demolished by wave.
According to the reports, in 2005, a hurricane swept away the fishing villages and destroyed Trai Tim church. Abandoned Hai Ly Church located about 120 km from Hanoi and its remains just a frame with a bell tower, which now stands in water when the tide rises.
The old and ruined church is now a popular destination for visitors and urbex explorers. It is also a favorite site for couples to take wedding photos. The church is especially beautiful at dawn.
Currently, Hai Ly Ruined church has been shed surrounded by sea. Every time the tide rises, it flooded the church about 1 meter. The local government has made efforts to conserve the church, particularly its bell tower.
