Top 7 Most Famous Temples in Hung Yen

Sung Bao Temple, located in Xuan Nhan Village, Xuan Duc Commune, My Hao Town, Hung Yen Province, is a 1,500-year-old ancient temple and a national historical monument in My Hao Town. Sung Bao Temple is one of the few in Hung Yen associated with many intriguing legends. Local residents are familiar with the story of General Cao Bien being thwarted by the dragon vein well and the tale of the clay statue turning to gold. These legends are part of the reason for the temple's fame.

The temple is believed to have been established during the Dinh Dynasty, initially small in scale. Over time, it was destroyed. In 1997, local authorities and residents began restoring the temple, constructing it in a traditional architectural style. The main hall has five bays with two roofs, designed in a simple, ancient style. The front hall has a two-bay roof, while the upper hall has three bays with a double-tier, eight-roof design. The upper hall houses a system of Buddha statues. On the left side of the main worship area is the newly built Ancestor Hall, completed in 1999, with seven bays and a simple, traditional roof structure.

Today, the temple still preserves several valuable relics, including wooden Buddha statues, stone incense burners from the Le Dynasty, couplets, and large plaques.

Address: Xuan Duc, My Hao, Hung Yen

Hien Temple is situated on Pho Hien Street, Hong Chau Ward, Hung Yen Town. According to legend, the temple was built during the reign of King Tran Thai Tong (1232 - 1250) by To Hien Thanh, a high-ranking official of the Ly Dynasty. The temple underwent restorations in 1625 and 1709. The architectural design of Hien Temple follows the style of "Nội Công, Ngoại Quốc", featuring a front hall, celestial fragrance hall, main hall, and three corridors. In the center of the main hall stands a statue of Avalokiteshvara of the South Sea, while in front are statues of the Four Bodhisattvas. These statues date back to the 19th century.

While the architectural features of the temple may not be extraordinary compared to other similar sites of the same era, the temple's value lies in two stone steles located in the front yard. One of the steles, titled "Thiên ứng tự - Tân tự trùng tu thạch bi ký", dating from the seventh year of the Vĩnh Tộ era (1625), records the restoration of the temple. The second stele commemorates the fame of Pho Hien as a renowned center for trade and cultural exchange, representing the city as a meeting point for people from all directions.

Address: Pho Hien Street, Hong Chau Ward, Hung Yen Town

Chuong Temple is located in the Nhan Duc village, Hien Nam Ward, Hung Yen Town. Built during the Le Dynasty, the temple is said to be one of the most beautiful locations in the Pho Hien area, with its surroundings considered a legendary scenic spot. In 1707, Chuong Temple was renovated to its current grand scale, reflecting the distinctive architectural style of Vietnam's post-Le era.

The Chuong Temple is an outstanding architectural and artistic monument, part of the famous Pho Hien heritage complex. With a rich history, beautiful design, and a collection of ancient statues, it has become a popular destination for spiritual tourism in Hung Yen. The temple, also known as Kim Chung Temple, was originally built in the Le period and, despite numerous renovations, has retained its architectural essence from the Hậu Lê era. Today, the temple houses valuable relics, including couplets, horizontal lacquered boards, stone steles, ritual objects, and a green stone bridge.

The beauty of Chuong Temple lies in its well-proportioned, rhythmic architectural layout. Entering the temple complex, one encounters the two-story, eight-roofed structure of the main gate, followed by a stone bridge leading to a courtyard that connects to the front hall, celestial fragrance hall, and the main hall. At the far end of the complex are the bell tower, bell pavilion, and the ancestor hall. The temple also features an extensive collection of Buddhist statues, including the Three Worlds, Amitabha Triad, and the Nine Dragons, with notable highlights being eight Diamond Bodhisattvas, eighteen Arhats, and four Bodhisattvas. These statues are truly artistic masterpieces with immense cultural value.

Address: Hien Nam, Hung Yen

Nom Temple, also known as Linh Thong Ancient Temple, is located in Nom Village, Dai Hong Commune. To the west, the temple borders Gia Lam District in Hanoi; to the south, it adjoins the territory of Hai Duong Province, while the north is adjacent to Bac Ninh Province, making it very accessible. Being part of the Nom Village heritage complex, the temple reflects the rustic beauty of traditional Vietnamese villages, with its architecture retaining strong Buddhist influences dating back to the 18th century. A significant milestone for Nom Temple came in February 1994 when it was officially recognized as a "Cultural and Historical Monument" by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

The temple houses many ancient statues, some of the oldest in Vietnam. Notably, it holds a bronze statue of Buddha, and the most admired is the exquisitely crafted Nine-Dragon Buddha. It is estimated that there are approximately 122 ancient statues made of terracotta, some hundreds of years old, including statues of Amitabha, Avalokitesvara, the Three Worlds, Eight Diamond Bodhisattvas, and the Eighteen Arhats.

Like many other temples in Vietnam, Nom Temple's main altar is dedicated to the Buddha. Additionally, there are several other altars within the temple grounds, including those dedicated to deities such as the Old Man and the Holy Mother. During major celebrations like Buddha's Birthday or Vu Lan (Ullambana), the temple organizes meaningful activities for Buddhists to participate in, such as fish release rituals and Dharma lectures. These activities help the local people understand the profound values and noble teachings of Buddhism.

Address: Nom Village, Van Lam, Hung Yen

Chùa Phúc Lâm in Hưng Yên is a famous golden-covered temple that has been gaining widespread attention recently. Located in La Mát village, Phù Ủng commune, Ân Thi district, Hưng Yên province, visitors here not only come to burn incense and pray for prosperity but also to enjoy the stunning surroundings, taking countless photos with its unique architecture, inspired by Thai temple designs. The temple, entirely covered in gold, sits on a vast 4-hectare site surrounded by spacious gardens, scenic spots, and serene ponds.

The temple has existed for a long time, but it has recently undergone restoration. With its distinctive design, it quickly draws tourists to visit. The temple is striking with its golden color and the prominent use of lotus and golden dragon motifs, creating an atmosphere of sacredness and tranquility. Chùa Phúc Lâm is renowned for its dazzling golden exterior, which is characteristic of Buddhist architecture in Thailand. The architectural details, such as the intricate carvings, leave a lasting impression on anyone who visits. Furthermore, Chùa Phúc Lâm is considered one of the great monuments of architectural and religious art.

The temple's layout includes two main buildings: the Tiền đường (Front Hall) and the Thượng điện (Upper Temple). Both are built in a Chinese character-shaped layout, standing 15 meters tall and 20 meters wide, entirely covered in gold. This creates a striking, majestic appearance, making this ancient temple stand out in the surrounding natural beauty. Additionally, Chùa Phúc Lâm features four towering pagodas, adorned with finely detailed carvings of dragons and phoenixes. Large lotus blossoms are also sculpted on the railings of the second-floor balcony, contributing to the temple's elegant and graceful beauty. The roof is adorned with lifelike carvings of dragons, showcasing the artistry of Vietnamese craftsmanship. The graceful, flowing dragons create a harmonious, balanced overall space. With its unique architecture and exquisite carvings, Chùa Phúc Lâm is not only a sacred spiritual destination but also a valuable work of architectural and artistic heritage.

Address: Phù Ủng, Ân Thi, Hưng Yên