On February 20, 1902, Hồ Ngọc Cẩn was ordained a priest at the age of 26. By February 1903, Father Hồ Ngọc Cẩn was appointed deputy priest of Kẻ Văn Parish in Quảng Trị Province. At Kẻ Văn, Father Hồ Ngọc Cẩn established literacy classes and Biblical study to improve education for the children and adults. From 1907 to 1910, he became the pastor of the Kẻ Hạc Parish in Quảng Bình Province.