Top 11 Must-Visit Historical Sites in Hung Yen

Chuong Pagoda is located in the village of Nhan Duc, Hien Nam Ward, Hung Yen City. The pagoda was originally built during the Le Dynasty and is said to be one of the most beautiful and historic landmarks of Pho Hien. In 1707, it was renovated and expanded, showcasing the typical architectural style of Vietnamese pagodas from the Later Le period.

The beauty of Chuong Pagoda lies in its harmonious and symmetrical design. Starting from the entrance gate, the two-tiered, eight-roofed structure leads you through a stone bridge to the spacious courtyard, followed by the main hall, incense house, upper temple, and at the back, the bell tower, gongs tower, and ancestor's hall. Inside, the pagoda houses a rich collection of Buddhist statues, including the Three Realms, Amitabha Triad, and Nine Dragons, with notable highlights being the eight diamond statues, eighteen arhats, and four bodhisattvas. These are truly masterpieces of art. Additionally, the pagoda is home to many cultural relics such as horizontal lacquered boards, couplets, ritual objects, and stone steles.

Phap Van Pagoda is located in Thai Lac village, Lac Hong commune, Van Lam district. Built during the Tran Dynasty, the pagoda features a unique 'internal strength, external beauty' architectural style, consisting of a 5-bay front hall, 3-bay main temple, two 9-bay side corridors, and a 7-bay ancestor hall. Phap Van Pagoda still preserves the wooden beams from the Tran era, a rarity in Vietnam, with the only other places to find such architecture being Dau Pagoda and Boi Khe Pagoda.

The beams, columns, and crossbeams are adorned with large, intricate carvings. Originally, the pagoda housed around 20 exquisite reliefs depicting various scenes, though only 16 remain today. Some of the carvings feature celestial beings such as a fairy with a bird's body, a figure holding up a lotus tower, a fairy riding a phoenix, and musicians playing traditional instruments like the flute, violin, and zither.

Address: Thai Lac village, Lac Hong commune, Van Lam district, Hung Yen

Most of the tourist attractions in this area are located right next to the Red River, offering beautiful scenery and a fresh, clean atmosphere. The Da Hoa – Da Trach complex is also associated with the legendary story and the Chử Đồng Tử - Tiên Dung festival, which has been recognized by the government as a national historical and cultural landmark. From here, visitors can explore the tranquil countryside, including the Red River banks, traditional villages, and the Xuân Quan pottery village.

The temple is built on a flat, elevated rectangular plot covering an area of 18,720m². The temple faces westward, directly across from Tự Nhiên (Ngự Dội village, Tứ Dân commune), where Princess Tiên Dung, daughter of the 18th Hung King, met Chử Đồng Tử, and they eventually married.

Address: Khoái Châu district, Hung Yen province

Pho Hien covers an area of approximately 5 km², located in Lam Son and Hong Chau wards, Hung Yen City, Hung Yen province. Once the center of the Son Nam district (the area south of the Thang Long imperial city), Pho Hien used to be a bustling economic hub with a river port, marketplaces, residential quarters, and two foreign trading posts run by Dutch and British merchants.

Although no longer as lively as before, Pho Hien has now transformed into a peaceful ancient town. During the late spring, the vibrant red flowers of the cotton tree fall around the trunks, and the soft purple blossoms of the soapberry trees fill the air with their fragrance. The rustling bamboo groves shed their golden autumn leaves, now replaced by fresh, green shoots, while the long rows of lychee trees quietly bloom. The air is filled with the serene scent of incense from nearby temples, and the distant sounds of bells and wooden mallets can be heard faintly.

Address: Lam Son and Hong Chau wards, Hung Yen City

Mau Temple is considered one of the most beautiful landmarks in Pho Hien. In front of the temple lies the Crescent Lake, surrounded by lush greenery, with Nguyet Ho street on one side and the Dai Ha dyke offering expansive views on the other. The temple is also famous for its ancient banyan, fig, and mulberry trees, some of which are nearly 800 years old, standing proudly at the temple’s entrance. Every year, the site attracts thousands of visitors.

This temple is a unique treasure within the Pho Hien national historical complex, a site of not only breathtaking scenery and architecture but also a rich repository of tangible and intangible cultural heritage from the old Pho Hien town.

Address: Bai Say Street, Quang Trung Ward, Hung Yen City

Hien Pagoda is located on Pho Hien Street, Hong Chau Ward, Hung Yen City. According to legend, the pagoda was built during the reign of King Tran Thai Tong (1232-1250) by the royal minister To Hien Thanh. The pagoda was renovated in 1625 and again in 1709. Hien Pagoda follows the 'internal strength, external beauty' architectural style, featuring a front hall, incense hall, main temple, and three surrounding corridors. In the center of the main temple stands a statue of Quan Am Nam Hai, with four Bodhisattvas positioned in front. These statues are dated to the 19th century. While the architectural design of Hien Pagoda may not stand out compared to other similar sites from the same period, its value lies in the two stone steles in front of the temple.

One of the steles, dated to the 7th year of Vinh To (1625), records the repairs made to the pagoda, while the other commemorates Pho Hien's fame as a center for trade and cultural exchange from all directions. This highlights Pho Hien as a gathering place for people from various regions, fostering commerce and cultural interaction.

In front of the pagoda stands a notable longan tree, known as the Tiến longan. This variety of longan, renowned for its large, thick, aromatic fruit, is a local specialty of Pho Hien. The main trunk of the tree has aged, but a branch has been nurtured and continues to thrive, symbolizing the persistence and heritage of the Pho Hien longan.

Address: Pho Hien, Hong Chau, Hung Yen

Located about 30km east of Hanoi, Nom Village is an ancient village in Van Lam District. This charming destination in Hung Yen is perfect for those who appreciate the beauty of old-world charm. The road to the village is lined with lush green rice fields, offering a peaceful and serene landscape. Visitors to Nom Village will be awed by its tranquil, green atmosphere, the beauty of ancient temples, centuries-old banyan trees, winding paths, and traditional houses. The entire area offers a simple yet soothing experience that is hard to describe.

Address: Dai Dong Commune, Van Lam District, Hung Yen Province.

May Temple is located in Dang Chau Street, Lam Son Ward, Hung Yen City, in a picturesque and serene setting, often associated with the folk saying: “A hundred sights, a thousand sights, nothing compares to Lanh Wharf and May Boat.” The temple is dedicated to General Pham Bach Ho, a talented military leader during Vietnam's early period of independence. He was born on the 10th of January in the year of Canh Ngo (910). According to local legend, his mother dreamt of the mountain god and a white tiger, and after giving birth, named him Bach Ho (White Tiger).

The temple, believed to have been established early on, has undergone several renovations. Today, it features a blend of architecture from the Le Dynasty and Nguyen Dynasty. The temple’s layout follows the traditional Tam-shaped design, consisting of the front hall, middle hall, and inner sanctum, with intricate carvings throughout, showcasing high artistic value.

Address: Dang Chau Village, Lam Son Ward (Hung Yen City)

You may recall the legendary tale of the young man Chu Dong Tu and the princess Tien Dung, a story we learned back in elementary school. It's a remarkable love story, one that defies the norms of feudal society, transcending rank and societal status, creating one of the most extraordinary love stories in our nation's history.

Da Trach Temple is believed to have been built on the site of an ancient palace, right after Chu Dong Tu and Tien Dung ascended to the heavens. Located in Yen Vinh Village, Da Trach Commune, Khoai Chau District, this temple houses many historical artifacts, including royal decrees, ornate plaques, and especially a hat and staff - magical items used by Chu Dong Tu to save the world. Every year, from the 10th to the 12th of the second lunar month, Da Trach Temple holds a festival that attracts numerous tourists.

Address: Yen Vinh Village, Da Trach Commune, Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province.