Nôm Pagoda - The Largest Triple-Gate Pagoda in Vietnam in Hung Yen

Nôm Pagoda is located within the heritage complex of Nôm Village, in Dai Dong commune, Van Lam district, Hung Yen province. It is situated 30km from the capital city of Hanoi. The pagoda has managed to preserve its ancient and solemn appearance, characteristic of ancient temples in the Northern Delta region.

Nôm Pagoda - The Largest Triple-Gate Pagoda in Vietnam in Hung Yen

Legend has it that because the pagoda was built amidst the great pine trees, it is also known as Linh Thong Ancient Pagoda. The ancient pagoda is concealed under the canopy of trees with architectural designs in the form of the Đinh character, symbolizing steadfastness and permanence.

The triple gate of Nôm Pagoda is acclaimed as one of the most magnificent in Southeast Asia. The gate is constructed of brown wood, topped with red tiled roofs characteristic of ancient temples in Northeastern Vietnam. The gate is designed in a two-tiered, eight-roof style, with delicate floral patterns adorning the upper roof. Visitors can ascend the wooden staircase on both sides to the upper floor to admire the panoramic view of the pagoda.

Beyond the pagoda's triple gate lie the bell tower and drum tower, symmetrically positioned on both sides. The wooden columns of the two towers are intricately carved with meticulous attention to detail, embodying high aesthetic value. Every day, the resonating sound of the bell fills the air, creating a serene ambiance in the pagoda.

Nôm Pagoda also features the Quan Âm tower nestled amidst a water lake like a splendid lotus platform. Leading to the Quan Âm tower is a stone bridge shaped like a bow, reminiscent of the ancient Nôm bridge, with two Nine-Level Pagodas made of bronze in front forming an ensemble of ancient architectural structures.

Currently, Nôm Pagoda still houses many special artifacts such as 128 clay statues carved in various states, postures, and themes from the 15th century to the present day; ancient bells; couplets; ancient Nôm inscriptions... These artifacts have endured the vicissitudes of time and history, remaining relatively intact and serving as a source of pride for many generations of locals.

The three chambers in front of the Buddha's altar, the chambers behind the Tam Toa Holy Mother's altar, the altar for male and female deities. The space here is quiet and serene, making visitors feel light and relaxed. Through the passage behind the mother's house is the new ancestral house built in recent years.

The ancestral house is where the statues of the temple's resident monks and the statue of Bodhidharma are placed. Particularly, there is also a statue of the former senior monk Thich Thanh Tu, renowned for its lifelike resemblance. The original statue of him is placed at Quan Su Pagoda.

More remarkably, in Vietnam, there are numerous temples with the same name, but there is only one Nôm Pagoda. Another prominent feature is that the pagoda is closely intertwined with the long-standing and glorious history of Nôm ancient village in Hung Yen.

At Nôm Pagoda, visitors can also admire the garden of stone sarcophagi located next to the pagoda. These are exquisite stone towers from the 18th century that still stand firm as a testament to time's challenge. Hence, Nôm Pagoda has long served as a historical witness, intimately connected with the people in both wartime and peacetime.

The sacredness of the temple is evident in every tile, every piece of wood, every clay statue... The temple regularly preserves ancient cultural features before carrying out restoration projects. In its development, Nôm Pagoda has undergone multiple restoration phases in different periods but still prioritizes preserving its inherent values, conserving its ancient values.

 According to Mytour

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide