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The North of Vietnam, the cradle of Buddhism, is home to many ancient temples. Explore these 14 stunning temples this New Year's season.
Dai Tang Phi Lai Temple
Address: Ninh Trung Village, Liem Son Commune, Thanh Liem District, Ha Nam Province
A must-visit destination for the Lunar New Year is Dai Tang Phi Lai Temple. The temple exudes tranquility and harmony between nature and architecture. Nestled against the majestic mountain range, the temple stands out with its curved tiled roofs, ancient brick walls, and lush green trees. The tranquil pond, red brick courtyard, and winding stone pathways complete the peaceful scene. In the early morning, mist gently swirls, blending with the sound of the temple bells to create a serene picture of meditation.
Thay Temple
Address: Sai Son Commune, Quoc Oai District, Hanoi
Thay Temple, located at the foot of Sai Son Mountain, is one of the oldest temples in Northern Vietnam. Built during the Ly Dynasty, the temple is closely associated with the life of Zen master Tu Dao Hanh, who made significant contributions to education, medicine, and the creation of the water puppet tradition. The temple features unique architecture with three main sections: Lower Temple, Middle Temple, and Upper Temple. The picturesque surroundings include Long Chieu Lake, and the Jap Tiên and Nguyệt Tiên bridges leading up the mountain.
Cay Thi Temple
Address: Che Trinh Village, Thanh Tam Commune, Thanh Liem District, Ha Nam Province
Nestled amidst the scenic mountains, the temple is surrounded by forests at the back and vast rice fields in the front. To the left of the temple stands a memorial to fallen heroes. The temple has been restored with several structures, including the Ancestor Hall, Tam Bao, and shrines dedicated to Duc Ong and Duc Thanh Hien. Notably, next to the temple stands a 100-year-old persimmon tree, enhancing the temple's serene and peaceful atmosphere, attracting numerous pilgrims.
One Pillar Pagoda
Address: One Pillar Pagoda Street, Doi Can Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
The One Pillar Pagoda, also known as Dien Huu Tu, is a unique symbol of Vietnam. Built in 1049 under King Ly Thai Tong, the pagoda takes the form of a lotus rising from the water. It is constructed on a single stone pillar, supporting the small temple above. Surrounding the pagoda are tranquil waters, trees, and peaceful surroundings. This is an incredibly popular destination for the Lunar New Year in Hanoi.
Dong Yen Tu Pagoda
Dong Pagoda, located at the peak of Yen Tu Mountain, is a sacred site of Vietnamese Buddhism. Standing at an elevation of 1,068 meters above sea level, it is famous for its copper architecture. This is the largest copper pagoda on a mountaintop in Asia. From the pagoda, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the vast, mountainous landscape and breathe in the fresh, pure air.
Huong Pagoda
Address: Huong Son Commune, My Duc District, Hanoi
The Huong Pagoda complex is a sacred site featuring numerous temples and shrines. Nestled among limestone mountains, lush forests, and the poetic Yen Stream, the highlight of the complex is the Inner Pagoda (Huong Tich), famously known as the 'First Cave of Southern Heaven.' The pagoda is renowned for its mystical natural stone formations. Every year, from January to March on the lunar calendar, the Huong Pagoda Festival attracts a large number of pilgrims.
Nom Pagoda
Address: Dai Dong Commune, Van Lam District, Hung Yen Province
Nom Pagoda, built during the Later Le Dynasty, is famous for its rare collection of solid clay Buddha statues. These large and small statues, made from clay, are scattered throughout the temple grounds, each showcasing vivid expressions and gestures. The pagoda is situated amidst a serene landscape of lush greenery, a tranquil pond, and an ancient stone bridge. The main gate of Nom Pagoda is one of the tallest and grandest in Southeast Asia.
Tam Chuc Pagoda
Address: Ba Sao Town, Kim Bang District, Ha Nam Province
Covering a vast area, Tam Chuc Pagoda is surrounded by an expansive lake and majestic limestone mountains. The architecture of the pagoda blends traditional and modern elements seamlessly. Key features include the Tam The Hall, the Phap Chu Hall, and intricately carved reliefs depicting Buddhist scriptures on volcanic stone.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Address: Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province
The ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda sits atop a 187-meter-high mountain, located about 800 meters from the Tam The Hall of the new pagoda complex. This peaceful temple complex is near the mountain peak, with the main hall in the center. To the right is the Bright Cave, housing a Buddha statue, followed by the Cao Son Temple at the cave's rear. To the left is the Nguyen Shrine and the Dark Cave, dedicated to the worship of Mother and the immortals.
The new Bai Dinh Pagoda is a grand structure spanning 80 hectares, located across the mountain from the ancient pagoda. Key highlights of the new complex include the Tam The Hall, the Phap Chu Hall, the Avalokitesvara Hall, the Stupa, and the Bell Tower. While the old pagoda is modest amidst the forest, the new pagoda stands tall and splendid, making it a highly attractive destination for the early spring pilgrimage.
Phat Tich Pagoda
Address: Phat Tich Commune, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province
Phat Tich Pagoda was not only the largest Buddhist center in Vietnam during the Ly and Tran dynasties but also a major religious and cultural hub in the northern region. The most prominent feature of the pagoda is the majestic 27-meter-high statue of Amitabha Buddha made from a single stone block, weighing 3,000 tons, sitting serenely on a lotus pedestal. In addition to the giant Buddha statue, Phat Tich Pagoda is famous for the Pho Quang Stupa, which houses the relics of past abbots.
Bo Da Pagoda
Address: Thuong Lat Hamlet, Tien Son Commune, Viet Yen District, Bac Giang Province
Bo Da Pagoda, a renowned ancient temple of the Kinh Bac region, stands as one of the few places that retains the original traditional Vietnamese architectural style. The temple is unique in design compared to others in the northern region, featuring nearly a hundred interconnected rooms constructed with materials such as fired bricks, tiles, and ceramic. Notably, it is home to the largest collection of ancient stupas in Vietnam, with over 100 stupas holding the relics of monks and nuns. The temple also preserves valuable wooden blocks of Buddhist scriptures from the 18th century.
Phat Quang Pagoda
Address: Thanh Phong Commune, Thanh Liem District, Ha Nam Province
Phat Quang Pagoda is a major Buddhist site in Ha Nam, attracting many practitioners for meditation. After its renovation, it has become a popular spiritual tourism destination, especially during the early spring season. Though not particularly large, the pagoda is beautifully designed. The compact grounds are meticulously arranged, with attention given to every detail, from statues to branches and leaves. The atmosphere is clean and airy, with each area of the pagoda, such as the Tam Bao, lecture hall, guesthouse, and tea pavilion, thoughtfully laid out and vibrant.
Keo Pagoda
Address: Duy Nhat Commune, Vu Thu District, Thai Binh Province
Keo Pagoda, also known as 'Than Quang Tu,' was established in 1632 during the reign of King Le Trung Hung. The pagoda honors both the Buddha and the deity Duong Khong Lo, who was instrumental in its construction. Famous for its exquisite wooden architecture, the temple consists of 128 rooms with intricate wooden beams, columns, and carvings. The highlight is the bell tower, standing 11.04 meters tall, built entirely from ironwood. Every year in the lunar month of September, the Keo Pagoda festival attracts many visitors.
Dau Pagoda
Address: Thanh Khuong Commune, Thuan Thanh District, Bac Ninh Province
Dau Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Vietnam, was established in the 2nd century during the reign of Si Niep. It is regarded as the cradle of Vietnamese Buddhism, with an architectural style that reflects the ancient traditions of Buddhist design. A prominent feature of the pagoda is the Hoa Phong Tower, standing 17 meters tall and made from red-fired bricks, symbolizing sacredness in the rural Kinh Bac region. The Dau Pagoda festival, held annually on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, draws numerous Buddhist followers and tourists. It is also an ideal destination for family spring excursions.
Source: Mytour.vn
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour.vn
Mytour.vnJanuary 16, 2025
