Top 13 Most Sacred Temples in Vietnam

1. Phủ Tây Hồ, Hà Nội

Phủ Tây Hồ in Hanoi is a nationally recognized historical site and a deeply sacred place. Every year, many people visit Phủ Tây Hồ to pray for prosperity and peace. It is considered one of the most sacred places among the temple systems in Hanoi, attracting not only locals but also tourists from afar to come and offer incense for blessings. Phủ Tây Hồ worships Goddess Liễu Hạnh. In the Vietnamese folklore, Goddess Liễu Hạnh is one of the Four Immortals (Sơn Tinh, Thánh Gióng, Chử Đồng Tử, Liễu Hạnh Thánh Mẫu), representing the belief in Mother Goddess, a unique and ancient belief in Vietnam.

The architectural structures of Phủ Tây Hồ include a three-door gate, a main architectural structure with three layers (Tam tòa thánh mẫu); the main hall is the largest. The front side features a two-story three-door gate with a roof inscribed with 'Tây Hồ hiển tích,' intricately decorated. The four central doors have carvings of the Four Seasons and the Four Supernatural Creatures, while the center is carved with longevity symbols. Beyond the three-door gate is a two-story, eight-roofed communal house. Phủ Tây Hồ still preserves a rich collection of historical, cultural, and artistic artifacts from the 19th and 20th centuries, such as nearly 300 round statues, horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, etc. The most notable is the monumental inscription: “Thiên tiên trắc giáng” (Celestial beings appear) and the horizontal lacquered board at the entrance: “Mẫu nghi thiên hạ” (Mother rules the world). Therefore, during Tet and the spring season, there are many pilgrims visiting here. Not only locals but also the majority of tourists visiting Hanoi come to Phủ Tây Hồ to pray for luck and peace in the new year.

2. Đền Hùng, Phú Thọ

The Hung Temple is erected on Nghia Linh Mountain, amidst Phong Chau land, now in Hy Cuong commune, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province. The temple complex of the Hung Temple stretches from the foot of the mountain to the summit of Nghia Linh peak, 175 meters high, within a strictly protected forest area adjacent to the districts of Lam Thao, Phu Ninh, and suburban areas of Viet Tri city, about 10 km from the city center.

The Hung Temple area is now located in the territory of the ancient capital Phong Chau of the Van Lang nation. According to the book 'Ngoc Pha Hung Vuong,' at that time, the Hung Kings built the Kinh Thien palace in this area of Nghia Linh mountain. The historical relic site of the Hung Temple includes the Lower Temple and Pagoda, Well Temple, Middle Temple, Upper Temple, and the tomb of the Hung Kings.

The main festival of The Hung Temple (located on Nghia Linh mountain, Hy Cuong commune, Viet Tri, Phu Tho) is on the 10th of March Lunar calendar, but people start going to the festival from the beginning of the new year. This is the root of the Vietnamese people, where the Hung Kings established the country. People go to the temple not only to pray for luck and prosperity but also to enjoy the serene and sacred atmosphere in the spring weather, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of life to show gratitude to the Hung Kings for their contributions in founding and preserving the nation.

Tran Temple is a temple located on Tran Thua - Loc Vuong - Nam Dinh street. This is where the kings of the Tran dynasty, along with their officials who contributed to the court, are worshiped. Tran Temple consists of 3 main architectural structures: Thien Truong Temple, Co Trach Temple, and Trung Hoa Temple. These constructions share the same architectural style and scale.

Every year, as Tet approaches, the atmosphere eagerly awaits the opening ceremony of Tran Temple, bustling everywhere. From the afternoon and evening of the 14th of the first lunar month, the whole city of Nam Dinh is bustling with the atmosphere of hosts welcoming guests from all directions to ask for seals and go to the temple. The historical site of Tran Temple includes Thien Truong Temple, worshiping 14 Tran kings, which was built since the Late Le dynasty, and Co Trach Temple, dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, built since the Nguyen dynasty. Coming to Tran Temple at the beginning of the year, lighting incense to pray for health, successful work, academic achievements, and good luck throughout the year.

Every year at the Tran Temple festival, not only people from Nam Dinh but also people from all over the country flock here, eagerly awaiting the midnight moment to ask for a royal seal to bring luck and prosperity in the new year, as if it has become a tradition. According to regulations, the royal seal stamped on yellow paper is for 'ordinary people,' while the seal stamped on red silk is for distinguished guests, high-ranking officials attending. Only 1 out of every 10 seals stamped on red silk is valuable because it is cut from the imperial robes of kings from past generations. And if anyone is lucky enough to receive that piece of silk, it is considered a blessing.'

Ba Chua Kho Temple is located on the hill of Kho Mountain, in Co Me area, Vu Ninh Ward, Bac Ninh City, Bac Ninh Province. This is not only a valuable historical relic in the complex of Co Me historical relics (including: Communal House - Pagoda - Temple) but also a pilgrimage site annually for people nationwide with religious significance.

The temple is related to the event when Ly Thuong Kiet led the resistance against the Song army in 1076. At that time, in Co Me village, Kho mountain, Cau Gao... were places where the Ly army stored food on the southern front of the Nu Nguyet line (Cau River). Kho Mountain, Dinh Mountain, Thi Cau were strategic locations that could control the route from Lang Son to Thang Long ancient capital via the Cau River.

Co Me Temple worships Ba Chua Kho, commemorating a Vietnamese woman who cleverly organized production, stored food, and safeguarded the national treasury before and after the victory of Nu Nguyet. In the Ly dynasty, she contributed to the royal court in managing the food supply at Kho Mountain (Bac Ninh Province) and 'threw' herself into the resistance against the Song army on the 12th day of the first lunar month of the Dinh Ty year (1077). In mourning, the king posthumously honored her as Phuc Than. People commemorating her established a temple at the old food store of the royal court on Kho Mountain and respectfully called her: Ba Chua Kho. People visit the temple to borrow money for business in the year to have a prosperous and favorable business year.

Huong Pagoda is a popular name in folklore, but in reality, Huong Pagoda or Huong Son is a whole cultural and religious complex of Vietnam, consisting of dozens of Buddhist temples, several shrines, communal houses, and agricultural worship places. The center of Huong Pagoda is located in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi, on the right bank of the Day River. The focal point of the temple complex in this area is Huong Pagoda, located within the Huong Tich cave, also known as the Inner Pagoda.

The sixth day of the lunar new year marks the opening ceremony. The festival usually lasts until mid-March. During this festival, millions of Buddhists and tourists from all over the country come to Huong Pagoda to participate in the festivities. The journey to this land of Buddha, where Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara practices, is considered the pinnacle of the festival, occurring from the sixth day of the first lunar month to the eighteenth day of the second lunar month. This day is traditionally the mountain-opening ceremony of the locality. Nowadays, the 'mountain-opening' ceremony implies the opening of the pagoda. The Huong Pagoda festival is relatively simple. The day before the opening ceremony, all temples, pagodas, communal houses, and shrines are filled with incense smoke. The main temple is Huong Tich Pagoda, which can be considered a natural cave temple because the temple is situated in a natural limestone cave. At the entrance to the cave is a large gate with the inscription 'Huong Tich Cave Gate.' Beyond the gate is a long slope, constructed with 120 stone steps. The cave walls have five Chinese characters 'Nam thien de nhat dong' carved by Lord Trinh Sam in 1770 during his visit to this place. Inside the cave are numerous stalactites and stalagmites that create shapes with profound meanings for human life. The temple is famous and sacred, and it is believed that lighting incense at Huong Tich cave at the beginning of the year ensures that all wishes come true. The fame of the temple spreads far and wide, as millions of Buddhists gather here annually to pay homage, enjoy the scenery, and welcome spring.

Huong Pagoda becomes a journey back to the Buddha's realm for Buddhists and tourists alike, becoming an inspiration for many famous poets and writers. As spring approaches, why not visit Huong Pagoda once? Perhaps after the trip, you will find new inspirations, sources of vitality, and new energy to start a year with joy and happiness. The Huong Pagoda festival is where unique ethnic cultural activities converge, such as boat racing, mountain climbing, and various folk singing performances. During the festival days, Huong Pagoda is bustling with hundreds of boats coming and going. The unique feature of the Huong Pagoda festival is the pleasure of sitting in boats, drifting through the picturesque landscape into the fairyland of Buddhism.

Bac Le Temple is one of the oldest and most revered temples in Lang Son, where the dense foliage of centuries-old trees casts shadows over the centuries-old temple. Despite the fluctuations of history and time, the temple still stands tall, firm, and is a spiritual destination for travelers from all directions. Bac Le Temple is located in Tan Thanh commune, Huu Lung district, Lang Son province, about 80km from the city center of Lang Son. To reach this place, you have to travel more than 10km on a red earth road from the center of Huu Lung town. This is an architectural complex situated on a high hill, with lush green trees shading the area, some of which are hundreds of years old. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Thượng Ngàn - the mountain goddess. The local people believe that she oversees and bestows valuable resources upon humans from the mountains and forests.

Visiting Bac Le Temple in Lang Son, tourists feel immersed in the space of the mountains and forests. With a three-section architecture: First - Second - Third (inner sanctum), the temple covers an area of ​​126m2. In front of the temple is a very large Tam Quan gate built to welcome all travelers. Despite several renovations, the temple still retains its original beauty. The main temple has a Đinh-shaped structure consisting of a front temple and a rear palace. The front temple roof is designed with dragon sculptures embracing the yin and yang symbols to represent the harmony of all things in nature. The Bac Le Temple festival in Lang Son is one of the major festivals in Lang Son, held for three days from the 18th to the end of the 20th of the 9th lunar month every year. The festival includes many important rituals such as the Ngai bathing ceremony, the main feast, the procession, etc. Every year during the festival season, the temple attracts thousands of visitors from all over to come and visit. According to local beliefs, Bac Le is one of the two sacred Mother Temples of the nation, so many domestic and foreign tourists come here to pray for blessings.

To seek blessings, one must visit Ha Pagoda in Hanoi. Ha Pagoda, also known as Thanh Duc Pagoda, together with Boi Ha Temple, forms the Ha Pagoda - Temple complex, formerly located in Boi Ha village, Dich Vong commune, Tu Liem district, now part of Chua Ha street (Dich Vong, Cau Giay, Hanoi). For a long time, Ha Pagoda has been a renowned temple for blessings in the Northern region, not only on Tet holidays but also on any day, especially on the full moon day and the first day of the lunar month. If you have the chance to visit Ha Pagoda, you will surely be surprised to see many young people coming here to offer incense and seek blessings.

People often share many stories about the sacredness that the temple brings. Some confess that they found their true love shortly after seeking blessings, while others attribute their family building, having children, and happy life to the blessings received at the temple.

When visiting Ha Pagoda, you don't need to prepare elaborate offerings like at other temples; just a little gold, flowers, betel leaves arranged in a small tray, and some loose change are sufficient.

If in the North there's the Duyen Ninh temple, and the Ha pagoda for seeking blessings, then in the South there's the revered Ong temple. The Ong temple in District 5, also known as the Quan De temple or Nghia An Assembly Hall, is located at 676 Nguyen Trai, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City. This ancient temple is not only the place of worship for the Triệu Châu Chinese community in Saigon but also a unique architectural work with profound historical value from the late 19th to the early 20th century. On November 7, 1993, the Ong temple in District 5 was officially recognized as a national architectural and artistic relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

The Ong temple in District 5 currently venerates three main deities: Quan Cong (also known as Quan De), Thien Hau original army (also known as Thien Hau Holy Mother), and Tai Bach tinh army (also known as Thanh Tai). The busiest time for visitors from all directions to visit and pay homage at the Ong temple in District 5 is on the Bai Hu anniversary and the Tet Nguyen Tieu festival. The Bai Hu anniversary is one of the ancient traditional customs of the Chinese people, with the desire to seek good luck, peace, and drive away evil spirits.

During Tet at the Ong temple, many interesting activities are organized such as lantern competitions, lucky money distribution, or Phuc Kien opera, making the entire Cho Lon area lively. After pilgrimage and offering prayers, many visitors come to the Xich Tho horse statue with the belief that passing through the horse's belly three times and then ringing the bell will help dispel misfortunes and bring luck and prosperity throughout the year.

The renowned Duyen Ninh Pagoda, also known as the temple of blessings, is a sacred temple familiar to young people everywhere. Situated in the ancient village of Chi Phong, Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, the temple is dedicated to Buddha and revered monks from the 10th century such as monks Phap Thuan, Khuong Viet, and Van Hanh. It is said that Duyen Ninh Pagoda was frequented by princesses during the Dinh - Le dynasty era. Princess Le Thi Phat Ngan and General Ly Cong Uan pledged their love here, resulting in the birth of Ly Phat Ma in the year 1000.

Later, when King Ly Thai Tong returned to quell the rebellion, he renamed the temple Duyen Ninh Pagoda. In her later years, Queen Phat Ngan returned to this temple to practice Buddhism and look after the tomb of her father-in-law, Emperor Le Dai Hanh.

Queen Phat Ngan played matchmaker for many couples here, making Duyen Ninh Pagoda a famous temple for seeking blessings and fertility in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Therefore, people often visit here to seek blessings and fertility if they face difficulties in having children.

Bai Dinh Pagoda is not only one of the most spiritually significant temples for blessings at the beginning of the year but also a must-visit destination for photo enthusiasts when in Ninh Binh. As a spiritual highlight in Ninh Binh, Bai Dinh Pagoda harmonizes the solemnity of the ancient Bai Dinh pagoda and the grandeur of the new Bai Dinh pagoda.

Today, Bai Dinh Pagoda is the largest Buddhist architectural complex in Vietnam, boasting numerous Asian and Vietnamese records such as: the largest gilded bronze statue of Thich Ca Buddha in Asia, the longest corridor of 500 Arhat statues in Asia, the largest bronze statue of Buddha Maitreya in Vietnam, and the largest bronze bell in Vietnam... Moreover, it also houses six precious gemstones, sacred relics of the Buddha. With its impressive records and majestic beauty, Bai Dinh is a worthy next stop on the spiritual journey to Ninh Binh.

Bai Dinh Pagoda is now hailed as the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia with its unique architecture perched on a high mountain peak. Therefore, when visiting here, tourists can enjoy panoramic views of Ninh Binh, creating a special attraction that leaves us in awe of the beauty and grandeur of the pagoda.

Chu Dong Tu Temple can be found in many places across Vietnam. In Khoai Chau district, Hung Yen, about 25 km from Hanoi along the Red River dike, there are two Chu Dong Tu temples: one located in Da Hoa village, Binh Minh, by the Red River overlooking the Natural Bank where Princess Tien Dung - the 18th Hung King's daughter - fell in love with poor scholar Chu, and the second temple in Yen Vinh village, Da Trach, where Chu and his two wives ascended to heaven. Although both temples worship Chu Dong Tu with traditional architectural styles, they have significant differences. Visitors come here not only to stand on the Red River dike and admire the peaceful scenery of a 'green village with bamboo bushes, yellow cornfields, and ferryboats crossing,' or to admire the white sandbanks and glittering sunlight on the rows of willow trees, but also to immerse themselves in the fairyland of Da Hoa temple and offer incense in memory of the virtuous Saint Chu Dong Tu and the beautiful Princess Tien Dung and Princess Tay Sa.

The trees here are carefully selected to emphasize the immortality of Saint Chu Dong Tu and his perfect love story. Intertwined with that are the wise words, beautiful thoughts, and immortal love of humanity through each phrase, each word of the horizontal lacquered boards, couplets of sages, and literati of all times. It truly is a fairyland in the mortal world. The Chu Dong Tu festival is held from the 10th to the 12th day of the second lunar month at both temples. The legend of the love story between the jade leaf princess and a poor but extremely filial boy has long been the most beautiful love story in the treasury of Vietnamese folklore.

Chu Dong Tu Temple in Hung Yen is now and has been a cornerstone of Vietnamese cultural and spiritual life. It embodies the beauty of morality: 'remembering the source when drinking water,' and the loyalty in love. That philosophy of life is forever immortal in the hearts of every Vietnamese.

Tây Thiên Pagoda (formerly known as Upper Pagoda) belongs to the Tây Thiên ancient scenic area, currently located in Dai Dinh commune, Tam Dao district, Vinh Phuc province. Although not in Hanoi, when traveling to Hanoi, tourists can still visit and offer incense at this pagoda. Tây Thiên Pagoda is only about 85km northwest of Hanoi.

Adjacent to Tây Thiên Pagoda are a series of other religious sites such as Tây Thiên National Mother Temple, Dai Thap Bao Tây Thiên, Thong Temple, Cau Temple, Co Temple, Tinh Thất Tây Thiên... All contribute to creating a majestic and sacred Tây Thiên ancient scenic area, both majestic and venerable.

Not only surrounded by ancient Buddhist architecture, Tây Thiên Pagoda is also surrounded by the magnificent mountainous scenery of Tam Dao, both poetic and pristine. Here, every tourist can feel the tranquility in their soul, relax, and enjoy listening to the sound of murmuring streams, the chirping of birds, and the innocence.

Adjacent to this scenic area is one of the three largest Zen monasteries in Vietnam - Truc Lam Tây Thiên Zen Monastery. This place is the cradle, the largest Buddhist training center in Vietnam, and the place where Vietnamese Buddhism was first developed.

Yen Tu Pagoda in Quang Ninh is one of the largest pagodas in Vietnam, renowned for its sanctity. At the sacred Yen Tu mountain peak lies a historical relic site with ancient pagodas, towers, and ancient trees. Yen Tu Peak has also become the center of Buddhism since King Tran Nhan Tong relinquished the throne, practiced asceticism, and established the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Buddhism sect.

Historically, after abdicating, King Tran Nhan Tong donned monk's robes to seek tranquility, forsaking the competitions and jealousies of life. He then founded a distinctive Vietnamese Buddhist sect, the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect, and became its first patriarch with the Dharma name Dieu Ngu Giac Hoang Tran Nhan Tong (1258 - 1308). He constructed hundreds of structures on Yen Tu Mountain for meditation, scripture transmission, and preaching. Dong Yen Tu Pagoda in Quang Ninh has been recognized by the Vietnam Record Center as the largest bronze pagoda and the highest-altitude pagoda in the country. Moreover, this sacred pagoda is likened to a 'new wonder' in the Yen Tu peak scenic area. According to folklore, Dong Yen Tu Pagoda is a place where one can seek 'cosmic vitality' for all aspects of life.

The pagoda is also where believers and Buddhists have a belief in this inexplicable sacredness. Its sanctity and architectural beauty have attracted a vast multitude of pilgrims. Therefore, the Yen Tu pilgrimage has become the aspiration of many pilgrims heading towards the Buddhist realm every spring. The Yen Tu festival is held on the 9th day of the first lunar month every year.