Discover the Top 11 Spiritual Destinations in Hanoi

As the headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee, Quan Su Pagoda holds a significant place in the spiritual heart of Hanoi. Located at 73 Quan Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, the pagoda dates back to the 15th century. During the reign of King Le The Tong, there was no pagoda in Co Vu Ward, so the king ordered the construction of a building called Quan Su to welcome the envoys coming to Thang Long. It is said that these envoys from other countries were devout Buddhists, so another pagoda was built within the Quan Su compound to facilitate their worship. In 1822, the pagoda was renovated with additional corridors, statues, and bells to accommodate the soldiers stationed here for worship.

The pagoda's three-tiered roof courtyard leads to the main hall, which is square in shape and adorned with grand Buddha statues and elaborate gold decorations. The Three Jewels Buddhas are enshrined on the highest platform. On the right side of the main hall, there is a shrine dedicated to Ly Quoc Su (also known as Zen Master Minh Khong) with two lay disciples, while on the left side, there are statues of Duc Ong and Chau Suong, Quan Binh. Behind the Main Hall is the Ancestral Hall, where the Vietnamese Buddhist Patriarchs are worshiped. Deep within the pagoda's courtyard are buildings used as libraries, lecture halls, guesthouses, and monk quarters. Notably, the pagoda's name and many inscriptions within it are mostly written in Romanized script, possibly because around the mid-20th century, the pagoda became the central headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. The Buddhist Studies Institute and the Office of Asian Buddhist Organizations for Peace are also located here.

Address: 73 Quan Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

Bach Ma Temple is one of the Four Temples in the ancient Thang Long Imperial Citadel, located at 76 Hang Buom Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Bach Ma Temple was built in the 9th century to worship Long Do Deity (Dragon's Belly) - the original deity of ancient Hanoi. Bach Ma Temple is a large temple, renovated and embellished by many dynasties. The temple is built in the shape of the letter 'Tam', with an outer hall of eight-roofed directions, a central hall, and more than 13 horizontal lacquered boards. The decorative motifs on the temple doors are reminiscent of the architectural style of the assembly halls in Quang Dong Assembly Hall in Hoi An. Amidst the moss-covered landscape, Bach Ma Temple exudes an ancient beauty amidst venerable paintings. Today, the temple complex includes a ceremonial gate, central hall, offering table, forbidden palace, and council chamber arranged longitudinally in a closed space. There is also a shrine dedicated to Queen Te and the Mountain Pool.

Deep inside the temple, visitors can admire the entire wooden frame structure with a system of large ironwood columns, rafters made in the style of 'stacked gongs on small walls'. The wooden columns, lintels, and brackets are richly decorated with exquisite carvings by skilled artisans. In addition, Bach Ma Temple also preserves many valuable ancient artifacts such as the horizontal lacquered board 'Eastern Tranquility', the Long table, and worship items including ancient weapons such as chains, swords, and crossbows... exquisitely carved. Or preserve many stone steles, seals, offering palanquins, and phoenix thrones. Every year, the Bach Ma Temple festival takes place from the 12th to the 13th of February in the lunar calendar to commemorate the merits of the Long Do deity.

Address: 76 Hang Buom Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

Quan Thanh Temple is located at the intersection of Thanh Nien Street and Quan Thanh Street, facing West Lake, always cool all year round. Built during the Ly dynasty, Quan Thanh Temple is also known as Tran Vu Quan because it is dedicated to Huyen Thien Tran Vu - a deity guarding the North of the ancient Thang Long Imperial Citadel. From the entrance, you will be impressed by four pillars decorated with intertwined phoenix statues and on both sides are ancient square-shaped screen walls. Surrounding the pillars are pairs of prominent red parallel sentences. Stepping inside, you will be amazed by the ancient space of the triple gate, courtyard, three-layered ritual houses - front, middle, and rear halls in Chinese architectural style. With unique wood carvings inside the harmonious space, the temple architecture has extremely high artistic and aesthetic value.

The highlight of Quan Thanh Temple must be the bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu cast in black bronze, nearly 4m high and weighing about 4 tons on a pedestal of over 1m high green stone. In ancient legend, Huyen Thien Tran Vu was a deity who repelled foreign invaders, helped the people of Thang Long ward off evil spirits and managed the North direction. The statue has a square face with a dignified yet gentle and serene expression with straight-looking eyes. This is a unique artistic work that partly affirms the skill and talent in sculpture and bronze casting techniques of Vietnamese artisans three centuries ago. Additionally, the Quan Thanh Temple festival is held annually on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, attracting a large number of people to offer incense, make offerings, and pray for peace.

Address: Quan Thanh Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

Voi Phuc Temple was built in the 7th Chương Thánh Gia Khánh (1065) of the Ly Thanh Tong dynasty at the southwest corner of the ancient Thang Long Citadel, dedicated to Linh Lang Dai Vuong - the deity Linh Lang. Therefore, besides the name Voi Phuc Temple, the temple is also known as Linh Lang Temple. There are many legends about the Linh Lang deity. According to historical records, Linh Lang deity was the prince of the Ly dynasty - Hoang Chan, son of King Ly Thanh Tong, who helped his father repel the invading Song army on the banks of the Như Nguyệt River (Cau River) and sacrificed there. Legend has it that the Linh Lang deity (dragon's son) was born to Queen Hoang Phi of the Nguyen family (wife of King Ly Thanh Tong). When the Song army invaded our country, Linh Lang had grown up, was strong enough, he asked his father for troops and two elephants to fight the enemy. When the elephants arrived, Linh Lang made them kneel down, and then he and the generals went into battle. In a battle with the enemy on the front line of the Cau River, Linh Lang sacrificed himself.

To commemorate the merit of the prince, King Ly Thanh Tong conferred the title of Linh Lang Dai Vuong and built a temple and cast two stone elephants lying in front of the temple, later, the people called it Voi Phuc Temple. Every year, to commemorate the Linh Lang deity, on the 9th, 10th, and 11th days of the 2nd lunar month, the people here organize the Voi Phuc Temple festival. This is a grand procession with flags, gongs, drums, banners, and teams of flag bearers and drummers marching in a lively procession. Linh Lang Temple is located on a flat and spacious hill. The outer and inner triple gates face southeast. The main hall faces east, towards Thu Le Lake. On both sides, there are long paved alleys leading to the temple, which still preserves many ancient trees. The construction was classified as a National Historical and Cultural Relic by the Ministry of Culture from the first round on April 28, 1962. Voi Phuc Temple is solemnly located by the lake, attracting many visitors every day, truly worthy of being one of the top spiritual and scenic destinations in Hanoi's capital city.

Address: Ngoc Khanh Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

Kim Lien Shrine, also known as Cao Son Temple or Kim Lien Temple, formerly located in Kim Hoa Ward, later in Dong Tac Ward, Tho Xuong District, Hoai Duc Prefecture, now in Phuong Lien Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi. The temple worships the deity Cao Son, who helps with agriculture and reduces natural disasters for the people. The temple is built on a high mound east of Kim Lien Lake. Both the temple gate and the main hall face west, overlooking Kim Lien Lake. The main hall consists of a ceremonial gate, a main altar, and an inner sanctum. The ceremonial gate is a three-part structure with intricately decorated architectural elements, reflecting the Nguyen dynasty artistic style...

Passing through the five-door temple gate leads to a spacious courtyard, then to the ceremonial gate of the temple. The ceremonial gate is a three-part building with tiled roofs, adorned with couplets praising the virtues of the deity Cao Son. Beyond the ceremonial gate, after a small courtyard, is the main altar, which has five sections. The inner sanctum is where the deity Cao Son is worshipped, along with two accompanying goddesses: Princess Tuy Tinh - Princess Dong Ho Trung Vuong (daughter of King Le) and Hue Minh Lady. To this day, Kim Lien Shrine preserves 39 royal decrees for the deity Cao Son, including two from the Le Trung Hung era and thirteen from the Nguyen dynasty era; the earliest decree dates back to the second year of Vinh To reign (1620).

Address: 148 Kim Hoa Street, Phuong Lien Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi.

One Pillar Pagoda, also known as Nhất Trụ Tháp or Mật Pagoda. It is located on the street of the same name in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. Not only is it considered the most unique architectural pagoda in Vietnam and Asia, but it is also a spiritual destination and a symbol of Hanoi's thousand-year-old culture. The One Pillar Pagoda was initiated in the Kỷ Sửu year of 1049, under the reign of King Ly Thai Tong. According to folk legend, King Ly Thai Tong dreamt of the Goddess Quan Am sitting on a lotus throne radiating light and inviting him to ascend. Upon awakening, the king recounted the dream to his advisors. The Zen master Thien Tue advised the king to build a pagoda on a stone pillar as in the dream, to create a lotus tower for the Goddess to reside on.

The original structure of One Pillar Pagoda was supported by wooden beams attached to a stone pillar. The current structure of the One Pillar Pagoda includes: the Pillar, the Lotus Platform, and the Pagoda Roof. The pillar of the One Pillar Pagoda is built with 2 stacked stone pillars forming a vertical block with a height of 4 meters, not including the submerged part at the base. The diameter of the stone pillar is 1.2 meters, giving viewers a sense of stability. The Lotus Platform is square with each side measuring 3 meters, surrounded by a large protective fence, supported by a sturdy column system, with large wooden beams directly attached to the stone pillar. The joints are accurately carved to fit snugly together, creating an extremely sturdy structure. Now, like a familiar symbol of the capital, the One Pillar Pagoda appears in many books, newspapers, and educational programs.

Address: Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

Temple of Literature is located in Dong Da District, Hanoi, right in the middle of four main streets including Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ton Duc Thang, Van Mieu, and Quoc Tu Giam. When traveling to Hanoi, a city with thousands of years of culture and history, this is definitely a place you should visit. The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 under the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, dedicated to Confucius, Chu Cong, and the Four Accomplishments. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong established the Imperial Academy next to it as a university for the king's children and noble families. During the reign of King Tran Thai Tong, the Imperial Academy was renamed the National University and began to accept children from ordinary families with outstanding academic achievements. In the later Le dynasty, during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, steles were erected for those who passed the doctoral exams. In the Nguyen dynasty, the Imperial Academy was relocated to Hue. The Temple of Literature in Thang Long was renovated and became the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.

The complex of the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy is currently located in a campus covering 54331 square meters, including various architectural structures. The perimeter of the campus is surrounded by brick walls. After many renovations, this complex includes the Lake of Literature, the Temple of Literature Gate, the Great Middle Gate, the Khue Van Pavilion, the Thien Quang Well, the Doctoral Steles, the Great Success Gate, and the House of Thai Hoc. The teaching rooms on the east and west sides both have 14 bays. The classrooms for the three-tiered students each have three rows, with each row consisting of 25 bays, accommodating 2 students per bay. All the architecture of the Temple of Literature today reflects the Nguyen dynasty architectural style. The layout of the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy is arranged in layers, following the North-South axis, resembling the overall planning of the Confucius Temple in China, although simpler and in the traditional Vietnamese artistic style.

Address: Van Mieu Street, Quoc Tu Giam Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi.

Tay Ho Palace, dedicated to Goddess Lieu Hanh. In the Vietnamese pantheon, Goddess Lieu Hanh is one of the Four Immortals (Son Tinh, Saint Giong, Chu Dong Tu, Lieu Hanh Thanh Mau), the saint of the quadruple belief, which essentially venerates Mother Goddess, a belief with deep and unique roots in Vietnam. Legend has it that she was Quynh Hoa - the second daughter of the Jade Emperor, banished to the mortal realm for breaking a precious jade cup. Descending to the human realm, she roamed far and wide, until she reached the West Lake and discovered its divine beauty, deciding to stay and open a tea shop, creating a haven of literature and nature's wonder. The legendary princess traversed the heavens and earth, aiding settlers in establishing homes and livelihoods, vanquishing demons, and punishing the greedy. During the Nguyen Dynasty, she was enshrined as the “mother of the world,” one of Vietnam's Four Immortals.

According to legend, Tay Ho Palace marks the second encounter between Princess Lieu Hanh and the scholar Bung Phung Khac Khoan. By chance or fate, Bung Phung Khac Khoan was boating on the lake when he chanced upon the beautiful scenery and decided to stop by the Fairy Tea House. Captivated by the moment, they composed the poem “West Lake Inn,” a verse still cherished today. How long the fairy stayed here, nobody knows, but when Phung Khac Khoan returned, she was gone. To assuage his longing, he erected a shrine to honor his departed love. Thus, the mysterious origin of Tay Ho Palace. Notably, in Mau temples, there are typically three accompanying goddess statues: Upper Goddess representing the forest in a green robe, Middle Goddess (water) in white, and Earth Goddess in yellow. During Tet and the arrival of spring, tourists flock here to not only seek blessings but also marvel at the beauty of West Lake. Revered as a sacred site, Tay Ho Palace attracts many worshippers seeking blessings and fortune.

Address: Nghi Tam Village, Tay Ho District, Hanoi.

Tran Quoc Pagoda, with a two-thousand-year-old history, is the oldest and most sacred pagoda in Hanoi. Once the center of Buddhism in Thang Long under the Ly - Tran dynasties, Tran Quoc Pagoda has now become a captivating spiritual destination in the capital, attracting numerous visitors for sightseeing and worship every year. Especially in 2016, Tran Quoc Pagoda was listed among the 16 most beautiful pagodas in the world by the British Daily Mail newspaper. Initially named Khai Quoc Pagoda, it was built in 541 during the Pre-Ly dynasty. At that time, the pagoda was located near the banks of the Red River, so when the embankment collapsed in 1615 (during the reign of King Le Trung Hung), the pagoda was relocated inside the Yen Phu dike in the Kim Ngưu area. Subsequently, in the 17th century, Lord Trinh constructed the Co Ngự dike (now Thanh Nien street) to connect to the Kim Ngưu island. The pagoda was renamed Tran Quoc Pagoda in the reign of King Le Hy Tong (1681 - 1705) with the hope that it would be a place to help people ward off disasters and bring peace to the people. And that name has been used until today.

The pagoda sits on an island to the east of West Lake, quietly nestled along the bustling Thanh Nien street. As an ancient pagoda built long ago, Tran Quoc Pagoda has undergone many renovations, with some changes in appearance. The current scale and architecture of the pagoda are the result of a major renovation in 1815. The total area of the pagoda is over 3000m2, including the tower garden, ancestral house, and upper sanctuary. The pagoda belongs to the Northern Buddhist sect with a strict structure and architecture according to the principles of Buddhism, consisting of three main structures: Front hall, incense house, and Upper sanctuary connected to form the shape of the word 'Công' (工). Currently, the pagoda still preserves many valuable Buddha and Bodhisattva statues mainly placed in the Upper sanctuary. The most prominent among them is the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha sitting on a lotus throne, made of wood, coated with gold leaf, considered one of the most beautiful Nirvana Buddha statues in Vietnam.

Address: Thanh Nien Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi.

Ranked 10, Chùa Hà stands as a testament to spiritual reverence.

Chùa Hà, nestled in the heart of Hanoi, emanates a timeless charm, attracting visitors seeking blessings and love.

Ranked 11, Chùa Phúc Khánh offers a serene sanctuary for spiritual seekers.

Chùa Phúc Khánh showcases traditional Buddhist architecture and features a Mẫu altar.