Top 14 Most Sacred Temples and Pagodas in Hai Phong

Cao Linh Pagoda, also known as Bach Dang Pagoda, is located in the western part of Hai Phong City, in Bac Ha hamlet, Bac Son commune, An Duong district. The pagoda is situated in a spacious and airy location, overlooking National Highway 10, and its back facing National Highway 5. Due to its prominent location, Cao Linh Pagoda is often visited and worshipped by many tourists. It is one of the most beautiful and attractive pagodas with unique and grand architectural structures in Hai Phong.

According to historical records, Cao Linh Pagoda was built by the Le Van lineage in Ha Lien village about 300 years ago. It was renovated during the Later Le period with unique architectural features, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Buddhism. The pagoda's compound currently covers an area of ​​49,999m2. Today, the pagoda serves as a religious activity center for Buddhists from all over the city, a tourist attraction for domestic and foreign visitors, and a prominent highlight in the famous tourist landscape of Elephant Mountain.

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

The ancient Linh Độ Tự Pagoda – commonly known as the Red Pagoda (formerly located in Đông Khê commune, An Dương district, Kinh Môn Đạo prefecture, Hải Dương) is situated on a high embankment near the riverbank, where villagers worship Buddha, pray for Nirvana for the souls of those unfortunate ones who drifted to the shore. The pagoda became famous for its spiritual response. The name Linh Độ originated from this.

The Red Pagoda is one of the most sacred pagodas in the city of Red Flamboyant flowers. According to legend, in the Mậu Tuất year (1288), Hưng Đạo Vương came to the An Dương region to study the naval battle that defeated the Ô Mã Nhi fleet fleeing through the Bạch Đằng estuary, with a squad stationed at Linh Độ Tự to take care of the catering for the campaign's command.

The pagoda was originally a quiet place, but when the squad arrived, the kitchen was always busy. After Trần Hưng Đạo passed away, people built two temples on either side of the pagoda to worship him and his faithful generals, his sons-in-law, and his sons, namely Điện soái Phạm Ngũ Lão.

One of the most attractive features of The Red Pagoda is its unique architecture, unprecedented in the history of Vietnamese pagoda architecture. The 26m-high pagoda with ancient architectural style has 3 floors and 20 roofs, the connection between the Front Hall - Middle Hall and the Rear Hall has been handled with two intersecting roofs, creating a harmonious blend of the areas, cleverly linking the areas to create a majestic and magnificent overall shape,... On the roof of the Front Hall, a 7-storey tower is designed.

Address: Alley 286 Lê Lai, Ngô Quyền, Hai Phong City, Hai Phong

Lady De Temple is a famous temple in Hai Phong located at the foot of Độc mountain, leaning against the mountain, facing the sea, and is one of the famous temples for its beauty and sanctity. The temple worships Lady De – the wife of Lord Trịnh Giang. The temple was visited by King Tự Ðức and bestowed the title “Dong Nhac De Ba – Trịnh lord's wife”.

The temple has a simple but elegant and graceful structure, nestled against the mountain, facing the vast sea, creating a unique natural wonder no less than “The foremost cave under the southern sky - Perfume Pagoda”. Inside the temple is the “Resolution of Grievances Cave”, according to legend, those with grievances who come to the coal cave to cry will all be guided in dreams how to resolve them. The famous temple for its sanctity made ancient robbers and bandits afraid to disturb the peace of the people.

Lady De Temple welcomes visitors from all over the world, especially in spring to pray for peace and prosperity for their families and loved ones. This is also an opportunity for each of us to find relaxation and peace of mind amidst the hustle and bustle of life.

Address: Lady De, Ngọc Hải, Đồ Sơn, Hai Phong City, Hai Phong

Du Hang Pagoda (known in Chinese as Phuc Lam Tu) is a famous and sacred pagoda built during the Pre-Le Dynasty period (980-1009) in ancient architectural style featuring three gates, Buddha hall, ancestral hall, goddess temple, bell tower, and monks' quarters. During the reign of King Le Dai Hanh, a master monk came here to preach and enlighten Buddhist doctrines. In 1986, Du Hang Pagoda was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic.

Du Hang Pagoda boasts majestic architecture and a complete compound, including a seven-span Buddha hall, a three-story bell tower with curved roofs, a large bronze bell inscribed with the words 'Phuc Lam Tu Bell,' a five-span two-story bell tower, and a wide courtyard in front of the main hall. On the right side are the monks' quarters, on the left side are the facilities for nuns. The pagoda also preserves many valuable ancient Buddha statues with accurate and exquisite craftsmanship, such as the Three Sages, the Nine-Dragon Hall depicting the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha, and various other statues.

Address: 121 Du Hang, Ho Nam, Le Chan, Hai Phong City, Hai Phong

The Mac Dynasty Memorial Complex is a meticulously restored architectural ensemble. Covering a total area of ​​2.5 hectares, it includes the main palace, where the five Mac dynasty kings who ruled in Thang Long (1527 - 1592) are worshiped. They are the Divine Emperor Mac Dang Dung and the four emperors Mac Dang Doanh, Mac Phuc Hai, Mac Phuc Nguyen, and Mac Mau Hop.

Within the Mac dynasty memorial area, the main palace houses many sacred items and precious antiques. These include a vase depicting the One-Pillar Pagoda, a crane, and a large bronze bell weighing 1,527 kg (corresponding to the reign of Mac Dang Dung), a bronze bell featuring two carved dragons, and incense burners from the Mac dynasty era.

Of particular note is the Southern Sword of Determination, which accompanied King Mac Dang Dung in the famous battles, narrating fascinating stories over its 418 years of existence. The sword, over 500 years old, is the largest sword in Southeast Asia, measuring 2.55 meters in length and weighing 25.6 kg. Made of hollow iron, the blade is 95 cm long, and the sword handle is 1.6 meters long. According to the lineage records and oral tradition of the elderly, during his time as a general, the virtuous Mac Divine Emperor often wielded this great sword in battles.

Address: Co Trai, Ngu Doan, Kien Thuy, Hai Phong

The Thirteen-Trunk Banyan Tree is the largest ancient banyan tree in Vietnam and is one of the most famous spiritual tourist destinations in Hai Phong.

Legend has it that in ancient times, the Four Lords and Two Ladies used to travel around the land of Hai Phong in a carriage pulled by servants, wandering around at midnight. The Thirteen-Trunk Banyan Tree is where the lords and ladies made their final stop. Witnessing its sanctity, locals built a small shrine to worship the lords and ladies under the banyan tree, where incense burns all year round. In 2014, the Thirteen-Trunk Banyan Tree was recognized as a Vietnamese heritage tree.

As of now, the Thirteen-Trunk Banyan Tree is over 300 years old. Visitors will be amazed by its colossal size and vast coverage. The tree has a diameter of about 40 meters and reaches a height of 10 meters. It is called the Thirteen-Trunk Banyan Tree because it has one main trunk and up to 12 secondary trunks. It can be said that any tourist visiting Hai Phong is extremely curious and wants to come here at least once to admire this spiritual banyan tree. Here, not only can visitors admire the hundred-year-old banyan tree, but they can also pray for good things and luck in life.

Address: Xom Trai, Dang Giang, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong City, Hai Phong

Tower Long Pagoda (also known as Do Son Tower) is a temple dating back to the Ly dynasty (1010 – 1225), located on the summit of Ngoc Mountain with 20 bronze statues weighing over 20 tons placed inside the triple-gated hall. Especially, the temple bell weighing 1000 kg imitates the Van Ban bell of Do Son, directly casted on the summit of Ngoc Mountain. The foundation of the Tower Long Pagoda with its 9-story architecture has also been completed.

Next to it is the two-story shelter for stone steles and ancient wells, where many valuable artifacts are preserved with details, materials, and decorations made from wood, stone, tiles, and bricks from the Ly dynasty, representing a work of great value in terms of architecture, religious sculpture, and culture of the 11th century.

Visiting Tower Long Pagoda, tourists not only learn about the history and architecture of the tower complex but also gain insights into Buddhist beliefs. Through artifacts, visitors can encounter contemporary art styles with refined, gentle lines that ancestors wished to convey to present and future generations messages and aspirations for a warm, peaceful life.

This is a sacred temple and an unmissable tourist destination for travelers from afar when visiting the city of Hai Phong.

Address: Ngoc Xuyen, Do Son, Hai Phong City, Hai Phong

Co Am Pagoda, also known as Thien Huong Pagoda, derives its name from Mr. Tran Khac Trang, the founder of the Tran clan in Co Am. The land of Co Am holds a deep historical and cultural significance. During the Ly Dynasty (around 1162), General To Hien Thanh came to this area to help build dikes to reclaim land from the sea, ensuring stability for the region. He was revered by the villagers as the Upper Village Emperor. Throughout the ages, Co Am has produced scholars of high academic achievement, from ancient Confucian scholars to modern-day professors with doctorates.

Co Am Pagoda is a cultural and artistic masterpiece built on the land of Co Am, rich in patriotic tradition. The history of the pagoda is intertwined with the ups and downs of the people of Co Am village. To this day, the pagoda still preserves a large stone stele erected in the second year of Tu Duc's reign (1849). In the ancestral tower area of the pagoda lies a tower housing the remains of Master Tran Khac Trang.

Co Am Pagoda was once the Buddhist center of the entire region, and every March, monks from the surrounding areas gathered here. During the resistance against the French, the pagoda served as a military base and a training ground for the formal military training sessions before the Southern Expedition of the National Defense Corps under the Eastern Frontier Command.

In terms of cultural value, Co Am Pagoda preserves a collection of valuable French statues and religious artifacts, such as the Tam The statues, Thich Ca Niem Hoa, and Quan Am standardizing De... deserving to be a Buddhist art museum of the country. This is an architectural masterpiece - a place of cultural and traditional religious activities in the ancient Co Am village over thousands of years. Therefore, protecting Co Am Pagoda must be closely linked to the preservation of the Co Am cultural village to contribute to the conservation of the nation's cultural traditions.

Address: Le Loi, Co Am, Vinh Bao, Hai Phong

In Cap Tien Commune, Tien Lang District, Hai Phong, there is an ancient temple, Chuyet Son - Non Dong Temple, where the Soul of the Mountains and Rivers resides, the center of the ancient Buddhist sect Cau Lau. This is the place of cultivation of the Patriarch Huyen Quang and the location of a thousand-year-old Indian Bodhi tree root. The temple is located in Quan Bo Hamlet, Cap Tien Commune today but belongs to Tong Kinh Luong, Tien Lang formerly called Dot Son Temple. Dot Son Temple is also known as Dot Temple. The temple is a place to promote Buddhist ideology in Vietnam through many dynasties from the time of the Luong Dynasty, China, considered a historical and cultural relic and scenic spot.

The temple was destroyed during the resistance against the French in the 1950s along with Kinh Luong Communal House, Khai Quoc Temple, and the worshiping place of the Sea Gods at Dong Doi, leading to the disappearance of a thriving land, a sea route, and the Cau Lau Buddhist center. However, in folklore, there is still a verse that creates hope for the restoration of this talented land when the temple is restored: The Dragon's Lair has Tiên land again/In the future, the Lac children will thrive again/Trang goes and Trang returns/Land of Bodhi tree will be cultivated again.

Address: Cap Tien, Tien Lang, Hai Phong

Nguyen Binh Khiem Temple (1491 – 1585), whose courtesy name was Hanh Phu and style name was Bach Van Cu Si, was a prominent scholar-official in Vietnam. In 1535, he passed the Trang nguyen examination and served under the Mac dynasty, holding the position of Ta thi lang. In 1543, witnessing the corrupt officials abusing their power, Nguyen Binh Khiem wrote a letter denouncing 18 corrupt officials, but his plea was not accepted by the king. He then retired to his hometown, establishing the Bach Van Hermitage, where he opened a school, composed poetry, and studied history. Many of his students became distinguished military leaders, including Phung Khac Khoan, Luong Huu Khanh, Nguyen Quyen, and others.

Nguyen Binh Khiem was also a prominent philosopher in Vietnam. He was known for his numerology skills and was revered as the foremost 'prophet' of Vietnam, known for his many prophecies referred to as the 'Thunder of Trang Trinh.' After his passing, to commemorate his contributions, a temple was built in his honor in his hometown in Trung Am village, Ly Hoc commune, Vinh Bao district, Hai Phong city. The temple was nationally recognized by the government in 1991.

Visitors to the Nguyen Binh Khiem Temple will encounter a 5.7-meter-tall, 8.5-ton stone statue, depicting the revered scholar in various aspects of his life. There are also two large bas-reliefs, intricately carved by skilled artisans, portraying the ups and downs of Nguyen Binh Khiem's life. The temple complex includes a traditional thatched-roof house, known as the Bach Van Hermitage, along with an exhibition hall where his writings and literary works are preserved through ancient prints, ensuring that his legacy continues for future generations.

Address: Trung Am Village, Ly Hoc Commune, Vinh Bao District, Hai Phong

Vân Tra Pagoda is located in the western outskirts of the city, in An Dong commune, An Duong district. This is one of the few historical relics related to the Later Ly Dynasty in the present-day Hai Phong. The pagoda and the temple are only about 600m apart, both situated on elevated land over 1000m long, shaped like a crocodile with surrounding prosperous villages and rice fields (the temple faces east while the tail of the crocodile faces west where the temple is located).

Vân Tra Pagoda is where local people worship Dao Loi, also known as Loi Cong - an important deity under the reign of 3 Ly kings from Ly Cong Uan to Ly Thai Tong. The genealogy of the Do family in Vân Tra village states that Dao Loi is the son of Dao Moc and Uyen, a woman from the Do family in Vân Tra village. Both father and son had significant contributions to the Ly dynasty, holding high positions in the court. Vân Tra Pagoda is also a symbol of the local people's reverence for those who served the nation and the village.

Address: An Dong, An Duong, Hai Phong

The Trang Kenh Heritage Area is a complex consisting of 3 temples and 1 pagoda following the Truc Lam Tam Tu Buddhist sect of Vietnam located within the renowned Bach Dang River heritage area, known not only for the beauty and solemnity of its architectural structures like temples and pagodas but also for its excellent management by functional departments with the motto of '3 no's': no loss of money, no waste, no commercial activities.

The first temple in the Trang Kenh Heritage Area is the temple dedicated to King Le Dai Hanh. He was the king of the Early Le Dynasty and was credited with defeating the Song invaders at the Bach Dang River in 981. The next prominent temple in the Trang Kenh Heritage Area is the temple dedicated to Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan. The temple faces the Bach Dang River and the U Bo mountain, where Tran Hung Dao commanded the Tran dynasty's army to defeat the Mongol invaders in 1288, capturing the great general O Ma Ni alive. The third temple in the Trang Kenh Heritage Area is the temple dedicated to King Ngo Quyen, who defeated the Southern Han army on the Bach Dang River in 938, ending over 1000 years of Northern feudal rule and ushering in a long period of independence for the nation.

Next is the Trang Kenh Truc Lam Pagoda, situated on a small hill overlooking the Bach Dang River. Inside the pagoda are gold-plated statues. Although the pagoda is relatively small, it is a very sacred and solemn place. In May 2013, the Uu Dam flower - a sacred white flower in Buddhist scriptures - bloomed on the bronze bell of Trang Kenh Pagoda, creating a miraculous phenomenon.

Furthermore, within the heritage area, there is the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple, along with temples dedicated to King Le Dai Hanh, Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, and King Ngo Quyen, forming the famous 'Four Spiritual Pillars.' Another remarkable feature of this heritage area is the three imposing statues of the heroic figures: King Ngo Quyen, King Le Dai Hanh, and General Tran Quoc Tuan, the illustrious predecessors known for their strategic talents in achieving historic victories against overwhelming enemy forces. These are truly beautiful and vivid cultural and spiritual works. Any visitor stopping here will perceive through the expressive eyes of the generals a sense of brightness, decisiveness, and focused gaze toward the river in a commanding posture.

Address: Minh Duc Town, Thuy Nguyen District, Hai Phong

Mo Temple is located in Ngũ Phúc commune, Kiến Thụy district, Hải Phòng, about 4km from the district center right next to the national highway. Mo Temple worships Princess Quỳnh Trân, who played a significant role in opening up this land. In the year Quí Mùi (1283), the princess asked King Trần Thánh Tông for permission to renounce secular life and devote herself to Buddhism at the entrance of the Buddha. Her request was granted, and she chose land in Nghi Dương village (belonging to Nghi Dương district, Kinh Môn prefecture, Hải Dương province) to establish a hermitage. She then recruited people to reclaim land and establish settlements, and together with the people, she rebuilt Mo Temple.

According to folklore, the princess issued orders using the sound of a wooden bell (called 'mõ' in Vietnamese) for people to rest, eat, work, etc., so people called her “Madame Mõ”. They gathered strong men to pray for rain and favorable winds, providing water for agricultural activities and ensuring a good harvest. In November of the year Mậu Thân, the princess passed away. Her remains were taken to Tư Phúc Pagoda in the capital for burial. King Trần Anh Tông issued a decree granting the title of Tran Triều A Nương Thiên Thụy Quỳnh Trân princess and awarded 300 official titles to 5 communes to escort the title back to Nghi Dương commune to establish a temple. Mo Temple has been preserved to this day.

Address: Nghi Dương, Ngũ Phúc, Kiến Thụy, Hải Phòng