Cardinal Pierre Nguyên Văn Nhon, Archbishop emeritus of Hanoi, was born on 1 April 1938 in Đà Lat, Vietnam.  From 1958-1968 he studied philosophy and theology a Pius X Pontifical College in Đà Lat, and was ordained a priest on 21 December 1967.

 He then taught for four years at the Simon Hòa Minor Seminary, before serving as rector of the Minh Hòa Major Seminary from 1972-1975, followed by more than 15 years in ministry as parish priest of the cathedral, from 1975-1991.  During the same period he also served as dean of the deaconry of Đà Lat and then as vicar general of the diocese for nearly 10 years.

He was ordained a bishop on 3 December 1991, subsequent to his appointment as Coadjutor of Đà Lat.  He became Bishop of Đà Lat on 23 March 1994, and held this position until 2013.  During this period, within the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam (CBCV), he presided over the Commission for the Laity from 1992-1995, participated in the Synod of Bishops for Asia in 1998, and served as deputy secretary of the CBCV from 1998-2001.  He was elected president for two terms, from 2007-2013.

He was appointed coadjutor of the Archdiocese of Hanoi on 22 April 2010, becoming Archbishop a few weeks later, on 13 May, following the resignation of Archbishop Joseph Ngô Quang Kiêt.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 15 February 2015, of the Title of San Tommaso Apostolo (St. Thomas the Apostle).