Buzz
The Vietnam Record Organization has recently announced the top 10 spiritual tourist destinations, with the One Pillar Pagoda being the most frequented by both domestic and international tourists.
1. One Pillar Pagoda
The One Pillar Pagoda features a single room resting on a stone pillar in the middle of a lotus pond. Legend has it that the pagoda was constructed based on a dream of King Ly Thai Tong (1028-1054). In 1049, the king dreamt of seeing the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara sitting on a lotus throne carried up to the palace. Upon awakening, the king narrated the dream and was advised by the monks to build the pagoda as seen in the dream, erecting a stone pillar, placing the lotus throne of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara on the pillar, and having the monks circumambulate while chanting scriptures for continued protection. Thus, the pagoda was named Dien Huu (Lasting Benevolence).
Every year on the 8th of April in the lunar calendar, the king visits the pagoda to bathe the Buddha. Monks and people from all over Thang Long Imperial City attend the ceremony. Following the Buddha bathing ceremony is the releasing of birds. The king stands on a high platform and releases a bird, followed by the people releasing birds amidst the joyful cheers of a grand festival day.
The One Pillar Pagoda has been selected as one of the symbols of Hanoi capital. In Thu Duc district - Ho Chi Minh City, there is also a version of the One Pillar Pagoda. Furthermore, in Moscow, the capital of Russia, there is also a version of the One Pillar Pagoda built in the Hanoi - Moscow Cultural and Trade Center and Hotel, the largest project of the Vietnamese people abroad today.
2. Hương Pagoda (Hanoi)
Huong Pagoda, also known as Perfume Pagoda, is a cultural and religious complex in Vietnam, comprising dozens of Buddhist temples, several shrines, communal houses, and agricultural worship sites. The central area of Huong Pagoda is located in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi, situated along the banks of the Day River.
The pagoda was initially constructed on a large scale around the late 17th century, later damaged during the resistance against the French in 1947, and subsequently restored in 1988. Every year, from the 6th day of the 1st lunar month to the end of the 3rd lunar month, the Huong Pagoda Festival takes place.
3. Yen Tu (Quang Ninh)
Yen Tu Mountain is a high mountain range located in northeastern Vietnam with a rich and diverse system of caves and flora, officially recognized as a nature reserve. Yen Tu Mountain also preserves a system of historical and cultural relics associated with the birth, formation, and development of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. Yen Tu became the center of Buddhism when King Tran Nhan Tong abdicated the throne to become a Buddhist monk, establishing a distinctive Vietnamese Buddhist sect known as the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect.
The Yen Tu Festival takes place from the 10th day of the 1st lunar month to the end of the 3rd lunar month. Yen Tu tourism operates year-round, and taking the cable car helps shorten the distance and time for tourists. This allows visitors ample time to admire the stunning scenery of the Yen Tu mountain range. Particularly on clear days, from the mountain peak, you can see Ha Long Bay in the distance.
4. Bai Dinh Pagoda (Ninh Binh)
Bai Dinh Pagoda, located in Ninh Binh province, is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia. Every year, the pagoda opens its doors at the beginning of spring, welcoming millions of visitors from all corners. Bai Dinh Pagoda is a large temple complex known for various records such as having the largest area of any pagoda in Vietnam, the largest bronze-gilded Buddha statue in Asia, and the longest corridor of Arhat statues in Asia.
Bai Dinh Pagoda was once the site of the Great Offering Ceremony of Buddhist Relics from India to Vietnam in 2010. The construction and expansion of the new temple area were inaugurated in Phase 1 by delegates attending the 2008 World Vesak Day. The pagoda is located at the western gateway of the Hoa Lu ancient capital relic area, along National Highway 38B, in Gia Sinh - Gia Vien - Ninh Binh commune, 15 km from Ninh Binh city and 95 km from Hanoi.
5. Thien Mu Pagoda (Hue)
Thien Mu Pagoda is the oldest, grandest, and most beautiful pagoda in Hue. It is situated on Ha Khe Hill in the Hương Long commune, 5 km west of the city center.
The legend of this famous landmark is mythical: It is said that a fairy appeared on Ha Khe Hill, informing the local people that a lord would come to build a Buddhist temple here to gather spiritual energy for longevity. From then on, this hill has been called Thien Mu Mountain. Over many dynasties, Nguyen lords and kings have renovated, repaired, and enhanced the grandeur of Thien Mu Pagoda.
6. Truc Lam Da Lat Zen Monastery
Alongside Truc Lam Yen Tu in Quang Ninh and Truc Lam Tay Thien in Vinh Phuc, Truc Lam Da Lat Zen Monastery is one of the three largest Zen monasteries in Vietnam following the Truc Lam tradition. Located 5 km from the city center, Truc Lam Da Lat Zen Monastery sits on Phung Hoang Mountain amidst dense pine forests next to Tuyen Lam Lake. With its picturesque location, this is not only a place of worship but also a tourist attraction for many domestic and international visitors.
7. Jesus Christ Statue Vung Tau
The Jesus Christ Statue, also known as the Christ the Redeemer Statue, is a statue of Jesus Christ standing atop a small hill in the city of Vung Tau, erected in 1974. This statue stands 32 meters tall with an outstretched arm span of 18.3 meters at a height of 170 meters overlooking the sea, accessible via a staircase of 133 steps.
This statue can be seen as a similar version to the one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Compared to the Brazilian statue, this statue in Vung Tau is 2 meters taller. However, the statue in Brazil stands on a mountain over 700 meters high, while the Vung Tau statue stands on a height of over 100 meters on the Small Mountain; additionally, the base of the statue in Brazil is 7 meters high, whereas the base in Vung Tau is approximately 4 meters high.
8. Ba Den Mountain Spiritual Tourism Area (Tay Ninh)
Mount Ba Den is the highest mountain (986m) in the Southern region, located in Thanh Tan commune, Hoa Thanh district, Tay Ninh town, Tay Ninh province, 11km northeast of Tay Ninh town, and 110km from Ho Chi Minh City.
The Ba Den Mountain complex is formed by three mountains: Heo Mountain, Phung Mountain, and Ba Den Mountain. Visitors not only admire the majestic mountainous scenery but also have the opportunity to visit the Dien Ba pagoda system including the Lower, Middle, and Upper pagodas and the magnificent Hang Pagoda; explore the beauty and mystique of Thanh Long cave, Ong Ho cave, Ba Co cave, Ba Tuan cave, Thien Thai cave, Ong Ta cave, as well as hear the legend of Ly Thi Thien Huong, a beautiful girl with honey-like skin (Ba Den), and her benevolence.
9. Holy See of Caodaism (Tay Ninh)
The Holy See of Tay Ninh is located about 5km east of the center of Tay Ninh town and was commenced in 1936. It is a famous architectural masterpiece and the main religious center of Caodaism in Tay Ninh, situated in an area of approximately 1km with surrounding walls.
Within the Caodaism temple complex are numerous shrines, workhouses, and residences. The focal point of the architectural ensemble is the Holy Temple, resembling the architecture of Catholic churches with a length of 100m and two tall towers. In front of the Holy Temple, atop is the Divine Eye, the symbol of Caodaism. The architectural design of the Holy See blends Eastern and Western architectural aesthetics with splendid palace-style dragon columns, intricate roof vaults, and exquisite decorative motifs.
10. Lady Xu Temple (Chau Doc - An Giang)
Lady of the Realm is a legendary figure worshiped at Sam Mountain (Chau Doc, An Giang). Each year, this site attracts nearly two million pilgrims and tourists. Pilgrims and tourists come not only from neighboring provinces but also from distant ones like the Eastern and Central regions, creating a lively festival season at Sam Mountain for several months.
For the people of the Mekong Delta, Lady of the Realm at Sam Mountain has meritorious deeds in helping local residents live in peace. Therefore, for hundreds of years, the people of An Giang have established Lady of the Realm shrines, worshipping her as a deity. Every year on her commemoration day (from the 4th lunar month to the beginning of the 6th lunar month), many pilgrims from various places come to pay homage, pray for blessings, and borrow money for business ventures.
According to Zing News
***
Reference: Travel Handbook by Mytour
MytourMarch 2, 2015
