Top 12 Most Famous Temples in Bac Ninh That Attract Visitors During Tet

Tieu Temple, originally known as Luc To Temple, is located on the slope of Tieu Mountain in Tuong Giang Commune, Tu Son District, Bac Ninh Province, about 20 km north of Hanoi along National Highway 1A. It belongs to the Northern Buddhist sect.

Built during the Ly Dynasty, the temple has served as a center for meditation and Buddhist teachings, with many prominent monks, such as Zen Master Van Hanh, having practiced and taught there. A stone stele at the temple, measuring 0.68m high and 0.40m wide, bears the inscription 'Ly Gia Linh Thach.' According to the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Dictionary (Hanoi, 1993), Tieu Temple was the residence of Zen Master Van Hanh, and it is also the birthplace of Emperor Ly Thai To. Historical records mention a miracle at the Thien Tam Temple, where a dog gave birth to a pup with black and white markings that formed the characters 'Thien Tu,' symbolizing the birth year of Emperor Ly Thai To (Giap Tuat). The temple has undergone several restorations over the centuries.

The current gate of the temple was built in 1986. In the past, the temple preserved woodblocks from the 'Zen Yuan Tap Anh,' a valuable text on Vietnam's prominent monks, which is significant in the fields of literature, history, and philosophy.

Notably, the temple also houses the stupa and the preserved body of Zen Master Nhu Tri, who passed away in the Year of the Dog (1723). He was instrumental in printing the 'Zen Yuan Tap Anh.' On March 5, 2004, his body was moved by Professor Dr. Nguyen Lan Cuong to Du Khanh Temple in Noi Due Commune (Bac Ninh) for restoration and preservation. This work was completed on September 26, 2004, with meticulous procedures, including wrapping, sealing, and applying 13 layers of lacquer and silver leaf. The original statue weighs 34kg and stands 78.5cm tall, housed in a golden lacquered shrine with a 10mm thick glass enclosure filled with nitrogen to ensure its protection.

Dam Temple is located in Nam Son Commune, Que Vo District, Bac Ninh Province. The significance and scale of this temple have been recognized for centuries. Often referred to as a central hub of Buddhism, it is considered a masterpiece from the Ly Dynasty period.

The temple boasts an impressive and grand architectural design, featuring intricately carved and finely detailed lotus patterns on the tiles and brickwork. Every detail reflects the skill and craftsmanship of its creators. The construction of the temple was designed to be monumental, symbolizing reverence for the king of the time and highlighting the importance of Buddhism. Bac Ninh, rich in cultural history, is home to numerous historical sites, where friendly and welcoming people always greet visitors who come to explore and learn about the area’s heritage.

Lim Pagoda is a place of worship for both Buddha and Mother Liễu Hạnh. Although the pagoda itself is small today, it still attracts a large number of visitors, thanks to the Lim Festival. The Lim Festival is one of the largest festivals in Bắc Ninh province.

The Lim Festival is held at Lim Pagoda in Bắc Ninh. It became a regional festival in the 18th century when Nguyễn Đình Diễn, the governor of Thanh Hóa, who was from Đình Cả village in Nội Duệ, Kinh Bắc, contributed significantly to the court. In gratitude, he donated land and resources to restore local temples and maintain traditional customs. He also built a tomb for himself, called Hồng Vân Tomb, on Lim Mountain.

Due to his contributions, the people of Nội Duệ regarded him as a deity after his death, and rituals honoring him were held on his birth and death anniversaries at both Hồng Vân Tomb and Lim Pagoda.

Over time, the Lim Festival developed into a rich cultural event. The festival's highlight is a ceremony dedicated to the deity of the area, held on the 13th day of the first lunar month, coinciding with the Lim Festival itself. This is why it is referred to as the 'regional festival.'

The festival begins with a grand procession, with many participants dressed in traditional, colorful robes that stretch nearly a kilometer. The event is filled with rituals and folk customs, one of which is the custom of singing to honor the deity. Local villagers gather at Hồng Vân Tomb to perform this ritual, accompanied by Quan họ folk singing.

To perform the ritual, local Quan họ singers stand in rows in front of the tomb, singing traditional tunes to praise the deity. The Lim Pagoda Festival remains an enduring cultural tradition, with rehearsals starting on the 9th and 10th of the first month, and the official event running from the 11th to the 14th.

The Lim Pagoda Festival is held on the 13th day, with ceremonies at the Cổ Lũng Temple, Hồng Vân Tomb, and other important sites, honoring local deities and heroes. Visitors can also offer incense at the ancestral halls of the Nguyễn and Đỗ families in Đình Cả village, celebrating both Buddhist and local traditions.

Attending the Lim Pagoda Festival is an experience filled with music, poetry, and vibrant colors, immersing the visitor in the lively spirit of spring. The festival’s traditions, such as wearing colorful clothes and performing folk rituals, represent the vitality of both the people and nature in this region.

Bách Môn, also known as Linh Cảm Pagoda, is an ancient temple built during the Lý Dynasty. Over time, it has become a significant cultural and religious site. Originally, the temple was grand and had a square layout covering nearly 1,000m², with four identical facades facing all directions, forming a harmonious architectural masterpiece. Unfortunately, much of the structure was destroyed over 50 years ago and is in need of restoration.

Located in Long Khám village, Việt Đoàn commune, Quế Võ district, Bắc Ninh province, Bách Môn Pagoda was constructed on the slopes of Khám Sơn mountain. The pagoda underwent several renovations, notably in 1556 and 1612. During the reign of Lord Trịnh Sâm (1767-1782), the once-powerful Tuyên phi Đặng Thị Huệ, after falling out of favor, came to the pagoda to seek peace. She funded substantial repairs, transforming it into an architectural wonder with doors opening to all four directions, symbolizing the connection between the heavens and earth.

More than 70 years ago, French researchers described Bách Môn Pagoda as one of the most unique temples in Indochina due to its exceptional architectural design. Archaeological excavations have revealed that the pagoda, based on ancient texts and relics, was once a monumental and majestic structure.

Hàm Long Pagoda is located in Nam Sơn Ward, Bắc Ninh City, Bắc Ninh Province (formerly part of Nam Sơn commune in Quế Võ district, Hà Bắc province). Built during the Lý Dynasty, it was the meditation place for Zen master Dương Không Lộ, situated on the picturesque slopes of a mountain. The pagoda is home to large ancient trees and has long been an important training center for monks in northern Vietnam.

The pagoda is named Hàm Long because it is protected by the sacred Thần Long Mountain, which acts like a shield in front of the temple. Visitors reach the pagoda by walking up a path lined with stone steps, nestled among trees and grasses, creating a tranquil, poetic atmosphere. Every afternoon, the monks prepare a large pot of porridge as an offering to the spirits of those who are trapped or lost. In the morning, they chant sutras and pray for the souls of the deceased, with great care and devotion. Families who have recently lost a loved one often bring the deceased's spirit to the pagoda for a ritual offering.

When families bring a deceased person’s spirit, they provide a photo and key information about the person, such as their name, age, time of death, and burial details, which the monks record. A talisman is given to the family, which they are instructed to wear for three years to ward off misfortune. When sending the spirit, certain precautions must be observed, such as avoiding direct contact with close family members and not speaking or discussing the matter at home, as the spirit is believed to be intelligent and may refuse to leave.

During the three-year period, the family is prohibited from making offerings or lighting incense at home for the deceased, as doing so may cause the spirit to return. If the spirit hears its name being called, it may follow the family back. This is why some spirits require multiple stays at the pagoda before they are properly sent on. After three years, when the spirit has moved on to its new home, the family can return to normal rituals and make offerings. In a sense, sending a spirit to Hàm Long Pagoda is like sending them to serve time in a spiritual ‘prison’—a time of penance and purification, where they must live a life of asceticism, unable to return home and without receiving offerings. According to Buddhist beliefs, life and death are part of the cycle of karma, with individual and collective karma influencing the fate of each soul.

Linh Ứng Pagoda is part of the historical and cultural complex in Thuận Thành, a region officially recognized as a national heritage site. Nearby are other significant landmarks, including Dâu Pagoda in Thanh Khương, Bút Tháp Pagoda in Đình Tổ, and the tomb of King Kinh Dương Vương in Đại Đồng Thành, as well as the Đông Hồ painting village in Song Hồ.

This area is an ancient, sacred land blessed by the natural energies of the earth and sky, and has long been chosen as a place of worship. Based on surviving artifacts and research, the pagoda is believed to have been founded during the Trần Dynasty, and it was renowned for its spiritual significance. Over time, the pagoda fell into ruin, but thanks to the efforts of local benefactor Lê Đình Chất, a prominent military official, it was restored with a new bell tower, expanded hallways, and renovated Buddha statues. This revitalization allowed the pagoda to once again become a major religious destination, attracting large numbers of worshippers.

The Linh Ứng Pagoda thus regained its prominence as the most famous site in the region. Every year, on the 7th day of the 4th lunar month, the villagers host a grand festival to welcome visitors. In 1952, during the First Indochina War, the pagoda was completely destroyed, leaving only three ancient stone statues on the site. The pagoda fell into disrepair and was forgotten for many years. However, after the reunification of Vietnam, the government and local authorities took steps to restore it. The three ancient statues were returned to the main hall, and with the help of local people and donations from visitors, a new Tam Bảo hall was constructed, along with a grand gate and landscaped gardens. The pagoda was rebuilt in 1986 on the original site.

Having existed for over eight centuries, Linh Ứng Pagoda is one of the oldest and most historically significant religious sites in Bắc Ninh. Though much of its original architecture has been lost to time, the pagoda's enduring history remains a valuable source for understanding the presence of Buddhism in the region.

Commonly known as the "Pagoda of the Ancestors," this temple is situated in Hà Mãn Commune, Thuận Thành District, Bắc Ninh Province. It belongs to the Northern Buddhist tradition and has a long history. The temple is dedicated to both the Buddha and the goddess Man Nương.

According to the legend of Man Nương in the book *Chùa Việt Nam* (Hà Nội, 1993), during the time of Sĩ Nhiếp, a girl named Man Nương became pregnant after the monk Khâu Đà La inadvertently walked over her. The baby girl born to Man Nương was placed inside a banyan tree. Later, the tree was swept away by the river, and the villagers used the wood from the tree to carve statues of the female deities Pháp Vân, Pháp Vũ, Pháp Lôi, and Pháp Điện, which were enshrined in four pagodas in the Dâu region, now known as the "Four Pháp Pagodas."

The temple holds two significant festivals. According to the *Vietnamese Festival Dictionary* (Hà Nội, 1993), the 17th day of the first lunar month is believed to be the birthdate of Man Nương, and it is celebrated with a famous rice cake-making contest in Dâu Village. The 8th day of the 4th lunar month is a ceremony for bathing the statue of the Four Pháp deities at Dâu Pagoda. The procession to and from the pagoda involves bringing the statues to the Pagoda of the Ancestors to honor the goddess Man Nương.

Đại Bi Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Ancestors or the Pagoda of Purification, stands on a riverbank nearly 1 km from the southern bank of the Đuống River, about 100 meters from the Đuống dyke, in Vạn Ty Village, Thái Bảo Commune, Gia Bình District, Bắc Ninh Province.

In addition to being a place of worship for the Buddha, Đại Bi Pagoda also preserves the memory of Huyền Quang, the third patriarch of the Trúc Lâm Zen school, a renowned monk and poet during the Trần Dynasty. Huyền Quang, together with Emperor Trần Nhân Tôn and the monk Pháp Loa, founded the Trúc Lâm school, which became a distinctive form of Vietnamese Buddhism.

Historical records suggest that Huyền Quang established the pagoda in 1305, during the year Quý Mão, on land near his family home as a gesture of respect for his parents. He named it "Đại Bi Tự" (Great Compassion Temple), signifying the compassion of the Buddha and the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who guided his parents to the Buddhist path.

Over time, Đại Bi Pagoda has undergone several renovations, with the earliest architectural traces dating back to the Lê and Nguyễn dynasties. Within the temple grounds is the "Temple of the Three Patriarchs," which enshrines the three founders of the Trúc Lâm Zen school: Trần Nhân Tôn, Pháp Loa, and Huyền Quang. In 2005, a communal hall was rebuilt to honor the legendary generals who fought against the Thục invaders during the 18th reign of the Hùng Kings.

The Đại Bi Pagoda festival, held annually on the 21st of the first lunar month, is a major event that attracts numerous visitors. The festival is famous for its grand processions and unique cultural practices, organized by four villages from the old Vạn Ty region: Đạo Viện (Viền), Hương Trạch (Chằm), Phúc Lộc (Tẩy), and Châu Lỗ (Dù). Today, the Đại Bi Pagoda stands in the homeland of the renowned scholar and monk Lý Đạo Tái, remaining a majestic and tranquil presence amidst the flowing waters of the Đuống River.

Tam Sơn Pagoda, also known by its formal name Cảm Ứng Tự, is located in Tam Sơn Village, Tam Sơn Commune, Từ Sơn Town, Bắc Ninh Province. The village of Tam Sơn is renowned for its long history, rich culture, and revolutionary traditions. The saying "Tam Sơn has three mountains and six villages, with a bustling market and pagoda" captures the essence of this vibrant community.

The name "Tam Sơn" refers to the three distinctive mountains that rise in the midst of the surrounding plains: Vường Mountain, Giữa Mountain, and Chùa Mountain. Tam Sơn is the only village in Vietnam during the feudal era to have produced all three highest scholarly titles in the imperial exams: Trạng Nguyên (Top Scholar), Bảng Nhãn (Second Scholar), and Thám Hoa (Third Scholar). Notable figures include Trạng Nguyên Nguyễn Quán Quang, who first established the official imperial examination system, Trạng Nguyên Ngô Miễn Thiệu, Bảng Nhãn Ngô Thầm, and Thám Hoa Ngô Sách Tố.

In total, Tam Sơn has produced 20 PhD holders, with numerous others passing lower levels of the imperial exams. Many of them went on to serve in government, contributing greatly to their community and the nation. Tam Sơn is also the birthplace of Ngô Gia Tự, a prominent revolutionary and one of the founders of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Tam Sơn is famous for its youth movement during the American war, and Tam Sơn Pagoda was the site of a visit by President Hồ Chí Minh during the early spring of 1967, where he greeted local officials and people. The village's rich historical and cultural traditions are still preserved at Tam Sơn Pagoda, which continues to host the village’s annual traditional festival.

Situated on the peak of Tam Sơn Mountain, the pagoda is also referred to as "Mount Pagoda." Historical records and artifacts show that Tam Sơn Pagoda has been around for a very long time. According to the *Thiền Uyển Tập Anh* (1990), the pagoda was established during the late Tiền Lê or early Lý Dynasty (around the 10th or 11th century) and was initially called Ba Sơn Pagoda. It became an important Buddhist center during the Lý Dynasty, where many notable monks, such as Đa Bảo, Định Hương, Viên Chiếu, Bảo Tích, Minh Tâm, and Vạn Hạnh, practiced their teachings.

Notably, Tam Sơn Pagoda was the residence and study place of Lý Công Uẩn under the guidance of the Zen master Vạn Hạnh, who later became Lý Thái Tổ, the founder of the Lý Dynasty. In 1063, King Lý Thánh Tông ordered the pagoda to be rebuilt on a larger scale, renaming it Cảm Ứng Pagoda. It also became a place for Lý royal family members, including princesses, concubines, and noblewomen, to visit and meditate.

Today, the pagoda still houses the remains of a garden, believed to be the place where Princess Thuận Dương, Princess Thuần Châu, and Princess Bảo Châu used to stroll along the western corridor of the temple. Tam Sơn Pagoda is not only a Buddhist sanctuary but also honors the notable scholars and revolutionary heroes of Tam Sơn. With its deep cultural and historical significance, the temple was declared a National Historic Site by the Vietnamese government in 1992.

The annual festival at Tam Sơn Pagoda is a spiritual and cultural celebration, reflecting the rich history and traditions of Tam Sơn village. Held from the 9th to the 12th day of the first lunar month, it is the largest festival in the area, meticulously prepared and conducted with great reverence, joy, and vibrancy.

Dâu Pagoda, also known by several names including Pháp Vân Pagoda, Diên Ứng Pagoda, Cả Pagoda, Cổ Châu Tự, Duyên Ứng Tự, or Cổ Châu Pagoda, is located in Thanh Khương Commune, Thuận Thành District, Bắc Ninh Province, about 30 kilometers from Hanoi. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful pagodas in Vietnam.

The pagoda’s construction dates back to the early Common Era, with its founding beginning in the year 187 and completion in 226. It was rebuilt in 1313 and has undergone numerous renovations since then. In the late 6th century, a monk from China visited Dâu Pagoda and established a Zen sect in Vietnam. On April 28, 1962, Dâu Pagoda was officially recognized as a historical site by the government.

The architecture of Dâu Pagoda follows the traditional "nội công ngoại quốc" (internal strength, external beauty) design, common among many Vietnamese pagodas. It consists of four interlinked buildings arranged in a rectangular shape, surrounding the three main halls: the front hall, the incense hall, and the upper hall. Although the rear hall no longer exists, visitors can still admire the forty structures lining both sides of the pagoda.

One of the most impressive features of Dâu Pagoda is its collection of statues. The central statue is of Bà Dâu, the goddess of Pháp Vân, made of bronze and standing 2 meters tall. The statue has a dignified, solemn appearance, with a prominent mark on her forehead. Flanking her are statues of Kim Đồng and Ngọc Nữ. The pagoda also houses a statue of Bà Đậu, originally from Đậu Pagoda in Bắc Ninh, which was destroyed during the French colonial period. These statues date back to the 18th century. On the left side of the upper hall stands a statue of Mạc Đĩnh Chi, dating back to the 14th century.

In the center of the pagoda’s courtyard is the Hòa Phong Tower, originally built with large bricks. Over time, the tower lost its top six levels, leaving only three floors, standing about 17 meters tall. A stone tablet inscribed with the words "Hòa Phong Tháp" is placed on the second floor. Inside the tower is a bronze bell cast in 1793 and a bronze gong from 1817. Four statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, each 1.6 meters tall, stand at the corners of the tower. A stone stele erected in 1738 is placed to the right of the tower, while a stone sheep statue stands on the left.

Every year on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, Dâu Pagoda hosts a bustling festival, attracting visitors from near and far. The main event of the festival is the procession of statues and the bathing of the Buddha, which draws large crowds and is a key cultural highlight of the region.

One of the most renowned pagodas in Bắc Ninh is the Bút Tháp Pagoda, also known as Ninh Phúc Tự or Nhạn Tháp Pagoda. It is situated in Bút Tháp village, Đình Tổ Commune, Thuận Thành District. The pagoda is famous for its wooden statue of Avalokiteshvara (Quan Thế Âm) with a thousand hands and eyes, which holds the title of the largest wooden Buddha statue in Vietnam.

Historical records show that Bút Tháp Pagoda has existed since the reign of King Trần Thánh Tông, with the temple's first abbot, Zen master Huyền Quang. During his tenure, he commissioned the construction of a nine-story tower adorned with lotus motifs. Unfortunately, this tower no longer exists today.

In 1633, a Chinese monk named Chuyết Chuyết from Fujian became the temple’s abbot, and during this time, Bút Tháp Pagoda gained widespread fame. After Chuyết Chuyết’s passing in 1644, his disciple, Zen master Minh Hạnh, took over as abbot. During this period, Empress Dowager Trịnh Thị Ngọc Trúc visited the pagoda, saw its dilapidated state, and requested restoration. By 1647, the renovations were completed, and the pagoda's current structure largely dates from this time.

In 1876, King Tự Đức visited the pagoda and, impressed by the immense tower, renamed the pagoda Bút Tháp, though the tower's original name, Bảo Nghiêm, remained. The pagoda has been restored several times, including in 1739, 1903, 1915, 1921, and from 1992 to 1996.

The pagoda’s architecture has preserved much of its 17th-century features. The main hall, or Phật điện, consists of ten buildings aligned along a 100-meter long axis. Passing through the main gate, visitors arrive at the two-story bell tower with eight roofs.

The pagoda follows a typical Bắc Ninh design, with three main halls—front hall, incense hall, and main hall—forming the character “Công.” Inside, the most notable feature is the thousand-handed, thousand-eyed Avalokiteshvara statue, carved by the Trương family in 1656. The statue stands 3.7 meters tall, 2.1 meters wide, and 1.15 meters thick, with 11 heads and 831 hands, including 42 larger hands and 789 smaller hands.

There are also two other notable sculptures: the Tây Thiên Đông Độ statue and the Thị Kính statue. The Tuyết Sơn statue is another masterpiece of great historical value. Additionally, over 70 other wooden statues are displayed throughout the pagoda, each with distinct postures and forms.

The pagoda is built using a sturdy wooden frame with a stone foundation, making it resilient over time. It serves not only as a place of worship but also as a cultural and historical landmark. The pagoda’s unique architectural design, which ascends in the form of a tower, attracts many visitors each year who come to pray for good fortune in the new year.

Phật Tích Pagoda, also known as Vạn Phúc Pagoda, is located on Phật Tích Mountain in Phật Tích Commune, Tiên Du District, Bắc Ninh Province. This pagoda is home to the largest stone Buddha statue from the Lý Dynasty in Vietnam.

The pagoda was founded in 1057 during the reign of King Lý Thánh Tông under the name Thái Bình Pagoda. In 1066, the king commissioned the construction of a tall tower. When the tower collapsed, a green stone statue of Amitabha Buddha was revealed, which was then covered in gold leaf. The locals, in awe of this event, renamed the area Phật Tích, meaning 'Buddha’s imprint.'

In 1071, while visiting Phật Tích, King Lý Thánh Tông inscribed the word 'Phật' (Buddha) into the mountain, leaving it as a memorial. King Trần Nhân Tông later built a library and the Bảo Hoa Pavilion here, and King Trần Nghệ Tông used the site for national exams.

In 1686, during the reign of King Lê Huy Tông, the pagoda was rebuilt on a grand scale and renamed Vạn Phúc Tự. It became a magnificent and imposing structure. However, this grandeur lasted for only about 300 years, as the pagoda was set ablaze by French colonizers in 1947. After the war, the pagoda was gradually restored, and by 1959, a small three-room section was rebuilt to house the Amitabha Buddha statue. In April 1962, it was officially recognized as a national historical and cultural site.

The pagoda follows the 'nội công ngoại quốc' architectural style, typical of the grandest pagodas in Bắc Ninh. The pagoda’s grounds feature a beautiful peony garden that blooms year-round. On the right side of the pagoda stands a shrine dedicated to Empress Trần Thị Ngọc An, the first consort of Lord Trịnh Tráng, while the left side houses the ancestral shrine of Zen master Chuyết Chuyết Lý Thiên Tộ.

Phật Tích Pagoda attracts many visitors, especially during the Lunar New Year, when the festival is held on the 4th and 5th of January. The festival includes fireworks, cultural performances, and other festivities, drawing large crowds each year.