Top 12 Most Famous Cultural and Spiritual Tourist Attractions in Hai Phong

When it comes to Hai Phong, almost everyone mentions Lady General Le Chan, who founded An Bien village – which is modern-day Hai Phong. Nghè Temple, also known as An Bien Ancient Temple, is the spiritual heart and the most important religious monument in the city. It was built around the early 20th century and is a national-level historical site designated by the state in 1975. Nghè Temple venerates Lady General Le Chan, the talented general in the Hai Ba Trung Uprising. Lady Le Chan, originally from Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh, founded An Bien village – the present-day Hai Phong – due to her debt to the country and family vengeance.

Nghè Temple (also known as An Bien Ancient Temple) is an architectural complex with a Nguyen dynasty style, including the rear palace, the burning house, the reception house, the service house, the paved courtyard, the monument house, and the triple gate... In addition to the main temple, the Nghè Temple historical site also has a Tứ Phủ Hall. The temple gate is a grand architectural structure, beautiful and majestic like the gates of palaces, mausoleums, and medieval temples. The temple has preserved many valuable artifacts such as horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, and wooden books painted and engraved very delicately, dating back hundreds of years.

Every year on the 8th day of the 2nd lunar month, the 25th day of the 12th lunar month, and the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the people of Hai Phong come to Nghè Temple to commemorate Lady Le Chan, the national heroine, and the founder of An Bien village, the cradle of present-day Hai Phong.

Currently, Nghè Temple also preserves many valuable stone sculptures. A typical example is a large stone stele carved during the Nguyen dynasty, recording the biography of Lady General Le Chan. In the rear palace, there is a statue of Lady General sitting on a throne, placed in a large gilded and gold-leafed throne with a majestic and beautiful appearance.

Address: No. 53 Le Chan, An Bien, Le Chan, Hai Phong

Main Festival Days: On the 8th day of the 2nd month, 18th day of the 8th month, and 25th day of the 12th month in the lunar calendar

Nguyen Binh Khiem (1491 – 1585), with the courtesy name Hanh Phu and the alias Bach Van Cu Si, was a prominent figure in Vietnamese history. In 1535, he passed the Trang Nguyen examination and served as an official in the Mac dynasty, holding the position of Lower Temple Guard. In 1543, faced with the corrupt and oppressive regime, Nguyen Binh Khiem composed a memorial denouncing 18 degenerate officials, a move that was not approved by the king. Subsequently, he retired to his hometown, established the Bach Van Pagoda, opened a school, engaged in poetry, and conducted historical research. Many of his students became renowned generals, such as Phung Khac Khoan, Luong Huu Khanh, and Nguyen Quyen.

Nguyen Binh Khiem was also a great philosopher in Vietnam. He was well-versed in numerology and was revered by the people as the foremost 'prophet' in Vietnam, known for a series of prophecies for future generations called the 'Thunder of Trang Trinh.' After his passing, to commemorate his contributions, locals built a temple in his honor at his hometown in Trung Am village, Ly Hoc commune, Vinh Bao district, Hai Phong. The Historical Site of Nguyen Binh Khiem's Temple was recognized as a national-level monument by the state in 1991.

Visitors to the Historical Site of Nguyen Binh Khiem's Temple will encounter the impressive stone statue of Nguyen Binh Khiem, standing at 5.7 meters tall and weighing 8.5 tons, enduring the elements throughout the seasons. Additionally, two large bas-reliefs crafted by skilled artisans vividly depict the ups and downs in the life of this cultural luminary. The house, once thatched with bamboo leaves, illustrating Bach Van Pagoda, along with an exhibition space preserving manuscripts, literary masterpieces through ancient prints, and the thunderous prophecies for future generations...

Address: Trung Am, Ly Hoc, Vinh Bao, Hai Phong

Main Festival: From the 27th to the 29th day of the 11th lunar month annually

Tu Luong Xam is one of the 'Four Spirits of Tu' in the ancient An Duong district, now one of the three 'Tu Spirits' in Hai An district (Tu Luong Xam, Phu Thuong Doan, Den Phu Xa). Among the historical sites dedicated to King Ngo Quyen in Hai An district, Tu Luong Xam is venerated as the 'Tu Ca' - the leading place to worship Ngo Quyen. It served as the main base for Ngo Quyen during the Battle of Bach Dang in 938.

At Tu Luong Xam, 25 primary doctrines and over 20 royal edicts from the Le, Mac, Le Trung Hung, Tay Son, and Nguyen dynasties are preserved. Among these royal edicts, various dynasties revered King Ngo Quyen as the 'Supreme Spirit Great King,' the 'Ngo King Celestial Prince,' and bestowed upon him many honorary titles.

Especially in the Dải Vu house, three Bach Dang stakes are preserved as evidence of the Battle of Bach Dang in 938. During this battle, Ngo Quyen used a strategy of planting pointed stakes capped with iron underwater at the mouth of the sea, taking advantage of the tidal current to create a formidable barrier, defeating the Southern Han army, immortalizing the victory in historical records. Also preserved is the dragon boat, symbolizing the naval battle on the Bach Dang River in 938.

Address: Luong Xam, Nam Hai, Hai An, Hai Phong

Main Festival: From the 16th to the 18th day of the first lunar month annually

Dư Hàng Pagoda (also known as Phuc Lam Pagoda) is a renowned and sacred temple built during the Early Le Dynasty (980-1009), featuring ancient architecture with three gates, Buddha hall, ancestral hall, mother goddess temple, and monk's quarters. In the late reign of King Le Dai Hanh, a venerable monk came here to preach and illuminate the Buddha's teachings. In 1986, Dư Hàng Pagoda was recognized as a national-level historical and cultural relic.

Dư Hàng Pagoda has majestic architecture, a complete precinct, including a seven-room Buddha hall, a three-story bell tower with curved roof tiles, a large bronze bell inscribed with the words: 'Phuc Lam Pagoda,' indicating the bell of Phuc Lam Pagoda. The pagoda also has a five-room, two-story bell tower with a large hanging bell. In front of the bell tower is a spacious courtyard; to the right are the five-room ancestral hall, monk's quarters, and transverse house; to the left are the five-room posterior house. The pagoda still preserves many valuable ancient Buddha statues with accurate and exquisite craftsmanship, including the Three Jewels set, the Nine Dragons - Shakyamuni's birth, charity, repelling evil, the set of statues 'Ten Courts of Hell,' Hộ Pháp statue, Truc Lam Tam To statues.

Address: No. 121 Du Hang, Le Chan, Hai Phong

Tràng Kênh Historical Site (Bạch Đằng River) is a complex comprising 3 temples and 1 pagoda following the Trúc Lâm Tam Tổ Buddhist sect of Vietnam. Situated in the famous Bạch Đằng River area, it is renowned not only for the beauty and solemnity of its architectural structures such as temples and pagodas but also for the excellent management by relevant authorities with the motto of '3 no's: no loss of money, no waste, no stalls.

The first temple in the Tràng Kênh complex is the one dedicated to King Lê Đại Hành. He was the king of the Pre-Lê dynasty, credited with defeating the Song army invading the Bạch Đằng River in 981. The next and most prominent temple in the Tràng Kênh complex is the temple honoring Hưng Đạo Đại Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn. The temple faces the Bạch Đằng River and the U Bo mountain, the very place where Trần Hưng Đạo commanded the Trần dynasty's forces to defeat the Mongol invaders in 1288, capturing the great general Ô Mã Nhi alive. The third temple in the Tràng Kênh complex is the one dedicated to King Ngô Quyền, who successfully defeated the Southern Han army on the Bạch Đằng River in 938, ending over 1000 years of Northern feudal domination, ushering in a long period of independence for the people.

Following this is the Tràng Kênh Pagoda, located on a small hill, facing the Bạch Đằng River. Inside the pagoda are gold-plated statues. Despite its relatively small size, the pagoda is a place of great sanctity and solemnity. In May 2013, the Uu Dam flower, a sacred white flower in Buddhist scriptures, bloomed on the bronze bell of the Tràng Kênh Pagoda, creating a miraculous phenomenon.

In addition, within the Tràng Kênh Historical Site, there is also the Ho Chi Minh Temple, along with temples dedicated to King Lê Đại Hành, Hưng Đạo Đại Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn, and King Ngô Quyền, forming the famous 'Four Spiritual Pillars' for this historical site. Another remarkable feature of this historical site, against the backdrop of the vast waves, is the three majestic statues of the heroic figures: King Ngô Quyền, King Lê Đại Hành, and General Tiết chế Hưng Đạo Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn. These ancestors, outstanding in both military strategy and tactics, created historic victories against enemy forces much larger than our own. These are truly beautiful and vivid cultural-spiritual works. Every visitor stopping here cannot help but perceive the expressions through the eyes of the generals: radiant, determined, gazing straight into the river as if commanding a battle.

Address: Trần Hưng Đạo, Gia Đức, Thủy Nguyên, Hải Phòng

Main festival: From January 06 to January 07 annually in the lunar calendar

The ancient Linh Độ Pagoda, commonly known as the Red Pagoda (formerly in Đông Khê commune, An Dương district, Kinh Môn precinct, Hải Dương province), sits on a high embankment near the riverbank. Villagers built the pagoda to worship Buddha and pray for the souls of those unfortunate who died and drifted ashore. Since then, it has been a sanctuary for wandering spirits, and the pagoda is renowned for its spiritual significance. The name Linh Độ originates from this.

The Red Pagoda is one of the most sacred pagodas in the City of Flame Trees. According to legend, in the Year of the Dog (1288), General Hưng Đạo Vương, while studying the naval battle to defeat the fleet of Ô Mã Nhi retreating through the Bạch Đằng estuary, had a fire team stationed at Linh Độ Pagoda to handle the provisioning for the campaign's commanders.

Originally a tranquil place, when the fire team arrived, the kitchen was always bustling with activity. After Trần Hưng Đạo passed away, the people built two temples on both sides of the pagoda to worship him and loyal generals, his sons-in-law, including Điện soái Phạm Ngũ Lão.

One of the most appealing features of Red Pagoda is its unique architecture, unprecedented in the history of Vietnamese pagoda architecture. The pagoda, 26m tall with ancient stacked roofs, has 3 tiers and 20 roofs. The connection between the Front Hall, Middle Hall, and the Rear Hall is cleverly designed, with intersecting roofs creating a harmonious and majestic structure. A 7-story tower is designed on the roof of the front hall.

Address: Lê Lai, Má Chai, Ngô Quyền, Hải Phòng

Bà Đế Temple, nestled at the foot of Độc Mountain with its back against the mountain and facing the expansive sea, is renowned for its beauty and sanctity. The temple was visited by King Tự Ðức, who conferred the title 'Eastern Music Deity Bà - Consort of Lord Trịnh.'

Bà Đế Temple has a simple yet elegant structure, built against the base of Độc Mountain, facing the vast sea, creating a unique architectural masterpiece. The main hall of the temple is dedicated to Bà Đế and her parents. To the left of the main hall is the altar for the Sea King. Next to it is the place of worship for the Earth King, the Mountain King, and all living beings. On the right side of the main hall is the altar for the Three Holy Mothers - three goddesses overseeing the land, sky, rivers, and mountains. Opposite the altar for the Three Holy Mothers is the altar for Buddha and the Great King (Trần Quốc Tuấn) - the famous general of the Trần Dynasty. In front of the temple courtyard is an image of a boat with a Bodhisattva statue, surrounded by dragon sculptures, adding to the solemnity of the place.

Address: At the foot of Độc Mountain, Ngọc Hải, Đồ Sơn, Hải Phòng.

Main festival: From January 26th to February 26th in the lunar calendar annually

Mõ Temple and Pagoda worships Princess Quỳnh Trân, daughter of King Trần Thánh Tông, who had the merit of reclaiming this land. In the year Quý Mùi (1283), the princess sought permission from King Trần Thánh Tông to enter monastic life at the Buddha's door and was approved. She chose the land in Nghi Dương village, Nghi Dương district, Kinh Môn prefecture, Hải Dương citadel, now Ngũ Phúc commune, Kiến Thụy district, Hải Phòng as the place to establish the monastery. Later, she recruited people to settle and develop the area, and together with the people, built the Mõ Temple and Pagoda.

Mõ Temple and Pagoda is a unique architectural complex with ancient rice trees over 720 years old. According to tradition, Princess Quỳnh Trân planted this rice tree with the wish of ensuring the warmth and prosperity of the local people. Despite the ups and downs of history, Mõ Temple and Pagoda still preserve the ancient beauty. In 1991, Mõ Temple and Pagoda were recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Site, and the giant rice tree was also acknowledged by the Nature and Environment Protection Association as a Vietnam heritage tree.

Address: Ngũ Phúc, Kiến Thụy, Hải Phòng

Main festival: From the 6th to the 8th day of the 1st lunar month every year

Cao Linh Pagoda stands as one of the most captivating Buddhist sanctuaries in Hai Phong, boasting unique and grandiose architectural structures.

Cao Linh Pagoda covers an area of 49,000m2 and is believed to have been built by the Le Van family from Ha Lien village 300 years ago during the Later Le Dynasty. Originally, Cao Linh Pagoda in An Duong Hai Phong comprised a front hall with 3 sections, a main hall with 5 sections, 2 rear halls, and 3 kitchen sections. However, during the resistance against the French, many sections of the pagoda were destroyed by fire. In 2011, the abbot of Cao Linh Pagoda and the Buddhist community planned and renovated the pagoda to restore its present appearance.

Upon entering the gates of Cao Linh Pagoda, visitors can immediately see the statue of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and the white screen with intricate floral patterns, standing parallel to a unique piece of art. The most significant structure in Cao Linh Pagoda is the Great Prosperity Precious Hall. Beyond the screen and the majestic Buddha statues at the temple entrance, visitors will witness the typical architectural structure of Buddhism with 3 front hall sections and 1 rear hall section arranged in the shape of the letter 'Dinh.' Besides the Great Prosperity Precious Hall, another attraction of Cao Linh Pagoda is the exquisite stone stupas located on both sides of the main hall.

Address: Bac Ha, Bac Son, An Duong, Hai Phong