HUNG-HOA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE di. - Situated in the inland regions of northern Tonkin, it was erected on 15 Dec. 1895 under the name of Upper Tonkin, being detached from the apostolic vicariate of Western Tonkin. It assumed its present name on 3 Dec. 1924.
Its territory of 60,000 sq. km. comprises the civil provinces of Son-Tay, Phu-Tho, Yen-Bai, Tuyen-Quang, Hoa-Binh, Son-La, Lao-Kay. In the province of Phu-Tho is the city of H.-H., which is the residence of the Ordinary. It is entrusted to the fathers of the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris. In the lowland part of the territory the inhabitants are all of Annamite stock, whereas in the mountainous zone the inhabitants, still primitive and nomadic, are divided into three tribes: Tho, Man, Meo. Many believe in metempsychosis, and for this reason food is frequently found near graves. Out of a population of 1,202,000 inhabitants, Catholics number 68,000, with 4,383 catechumens; pagans amount to 1,134,000. There are 56 Annamite and 22 foreign priests; 65 Annamite and 4 foreign nuns; 93 catechists and 14 teachers. There is a minor seminary with 120 pupils, and 9 major seminarians studying outside the mission; 37 quasi-parishes; 6 principal and 478 secondary stations; 62 churches and 437 chapels; 62 elementary schools with 1,845 boys and 369 girls; 4 hospitals with 70 beds, 4 dispensaries with 12,450 consultations annually; 4 orphanages with 85 boys and 70 girls; 4 homes for the elderly with 90 residents; and a leper colony with 190 inmates.