The Man Who Has Manually Rung Church Bells in Ho Chi Minh City for Over a Decade

The resonant chime of church bells in Ho Chi Minh City continues to stir emotions, thanks to the dedication of its silent bell ringers. The practice, deeply ingrained in the spiritual life of parishes, offers a tangible connection to tradition and ritual. As Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh once observed, the sound of church bells, unlike temple bells, can be a powerful tool for mindfulness, inviting listeners to pause, breathe, and connect with the world around them.

“

When I hear the bell ring, I stop talking and encourage the monks to listen wholeheartedly to the bell. When we hear the bell, we stop, follow our breath, and connect with the miracles around us, the flowers, the small children, the wonderful sounds.

For many, regardless of their religious affiliation, the sound of church bells in the afternoon sun offers a sense of solace. This tradition, though often overlooked, is a sacred duty that imbues the air with sounds capable of touching the soul. At St. Nguyen Duy Khang Church in Binh Thanh District, this ancient practice is kept alive by Ho Viet Hoang, 50, who has been the church's bell ringer for 13 years, taking on the unpaid role since he was 37.

Hoang's journey began with a steep learning curve. He recalls early mishaps, like pulling too hard and causing the bell to stick, highlighting that ringing is not just about strength but about rhythm and experience. Each peal, though brief, requires precise timing in pulling and releasing the rope to sustain the bell's swing and resonance. What was once a communal task has become his sole responsibility as older parishioners could no longer manage the physical demands or moved elsewhere.

“

It's not just about strength; you need experience and a feel for the rhythm. If you don't control the rope, you might pull too hard, and the bell gets stuck at the top, unable to ring.

Despite the convenience of electronic bells, the church community is committed to preserving the manual tradition. Hoang explained that switching to electronic bells would necessitate structural changes to the bell tower. More importantly, the manual ringing is a cherished tradition, and both the priest and the congregation wish to maintain it. This commitment resonates with parishioners like Nguyen Hoang Truc Mai, 25, who feels the distinct emotional impact of manually rung bells. She notes that the varied rhythms, quick and joyful for invitations to Mass, slower and more solemn for prayers or adoration, are integral to the liturgical services, each conveying a unique message.

“

The church bell is the soul of the parish.

Elderly parishioners, like 77-year-old Hoang Thanh, also attest to the profound difference. "Machine bells are very regular, very precise, almost programmed," she observes. "But hand-rung bells have a rhythm, they sound natural and more emotional. They evoke memories of a time of connection, they are the soul of the entire parish. What has existed since ancient times should be preserved."

“

If we wanted to switch to electronic bells, it would require adjustments to the structure and architecture of the bell tower. More importantly, ringing the bell by hand has become a tradition of the church, so the priest and the parish want to keep it.