Top 8 Temples Holding Records in Vietnam

The temple in Binh Duong follows the Tibetan Vajrayana style and features a Bodhidharma statue crafted from the hair of thousands of devotees. Tibet Pagoda (located in Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong) was first built in 1928 under the name Buu Huong Tu. In 1937, the temple was renamed to its current title after the head monk returned from a study trip to Tibet. Today, it sits atop a hill surrounded by lush greenery.

Initially, the temple was a small shrine dedicated to Buddha. Following a major renovation in 1992, it adopted the appearance of a traditional Tibetan Vajrayana monastery. The main hall is encircled by towering trees, and the building's cubic design features a prominent pagoda that houses relics and four corner towers reaching over 15 meters high.

On the upper floor, five altars house statues of the five Tibetan Buddhist deities, known as "Ngũ Trí Như Lai" (Five Wisdom Buddhas), each symbolizing a human trait. The upper floor is only open to visitors on full moon days, the first day of the lunar month, or during major holidays. In the main hall, the statue of the seated meditation Buddha, measuring 2.3 meters tall, is surrounded by other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in various positions.

Behind the main hall, there stands the Bodhidharma statue made of hair, recognized by the Vietnam Record Book as the largest of its kind in the country. Created in 1982, the statue stands nearly 3 meters tall. Apart from the iron frame, the statue is primarily composed of hair collected from devotees. Interestingly, the statue carries a conical hat, a symbol of Vietnamese cultural heritage. Tibet Pagoda is busiest at the beginning of the year, especially on the eighth day of the lunar new year, when the temple hosts a ritual for peace and prosperity.

Address: 46B Thích Quảng Đức, Chánh Nghĩa Ward, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province

Ho Khanh Pagoda is one of the most famous spiritual destinations in Binh Duong. Here, visitors can not only admire the peaceful atmosphere and offer incense but also learn about traditional Vietnamese temple architecture. Ho Khanh Pagoda is a religious structure with significant historical and artistic value, recognized by the Asian Records Organization in India for housing the longest reclining Buddha statue on a pagoda roof in Asia, a title it also holds in Vietnam.

The temple was founded by Zen Master Dai Ngan in 1741, during the reign of Emperor Le Hien Tong, on a high hill in Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong. In 1861, the pagoda was destroyed during French bombardments. In 1868, it was rebuilt by Monk Thich Chan Dac about 100 meters from the original location. Overcoming the ravages of war, Ho Khanh Pagoda has been renovated several times. The main hall and the eastern section were rebuilt in 1917, the western section in 1984, and the main hall again in 1990-1991. On February 29, 1992, the Provincial Buddhist Council of Song Be allowed restoration work to be done on the historical statues within the pagoda. The statues here were crafted by local artisans from Thu Dau Mot in the 19th century.

The construction of the pagoda has experienced many challenges, resulting in a grand Buddhist structure with the distinctive architectural style of a centuries-old temple. Today, it is a renowned spiritual tourism site, contributing to the development of Binh Duong's tourism industry.

Address: 35 Yersin Street, Phu Cuong Ward, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong (Near Phu Cuong Cathedral)

Mia Pagoda (also known as Sung Nghiem Tu) is located in Duong Lam Commune, Son Tay Town, Hanoi. This area was once called Cam Gia, and the pagoda was popularly known as Mia Pagoda due to its association with the region's local name. It is renowned for housing the largest collection of artistic statues in Vietnam, with a total of 287 statues.

Among the many historical landmarks in Duong Lam, Mia Pagoda is perhaps the oldest and most beautiful. The temple is designed in the traditional "internal palace, external pagoda" style, with an added back hall. The nine-tiered lotus pagoda, standing 13 meters tall, was constructed to house relics of the Buddha and is also considered a protective structure for the land's spiritual energy. The pagoda is surrounded by a series of halls and corridors, including the main hall, back hall, and side corridors, which lead visitors into the upper sanctuary. Notably, Mia Pagoda houses a towering statue of the Dharma Protector and Vajra (over 2 meters tall), as well as 18 vivid Arhat statues positioned along the corridors. In May 2006, the Vietnam Records Center recognized Mia Pagoda as home to the most artistic statues in the country. The statues here are not only distinctive in shape but also diverse in material—comprising 6 bronze statues, 107 wooden statues, and 174 clay figures.

The inscriptions on the stone steles at the temple provide insight into the pagoda's history. Mia Pagoda was founded in 1632 by Ngo Thi Ngoc Dieu (Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dong), a consort of Lord Trinh Trang, along with her family and the local villagers from Nam Nguyen in Duong Lam. In 1750, villagers from Cam Gia Thinh, Dong Sang, and Mong Phu contributed resources to add the front hall. The temple's entrance is framed by a 400-year-old banyan tree, whose thick trunk and lush canopy create a serene and sacred atmosphere.

The pagoda's collection of Buddha statues and its unique architectural ensemble have made it an invaluable cultural and historical treasure. For this reason, Mia Pagoda was designated a National Cultural Heritage Monument in 1964.

Address: Duong Lam, Son Tay, Hanoi

Linh Phuoc Pagoda, also known as Ve Chai Pagoda, is located on the outskirts of Da Lat, about 20 kilometers from the city center. This location has caused a stir on social media many times with artistic photos from visitors who enjoy taking 'Instagram-worthy' shots. As a result, the pagoda has become increasingly famous and attracts many tourists from near and far.

The unique feature of Linh Phuoc Pagoda in Da Lat is the buildings within its grounds, decorated with mosaics made from ceramic, porcelain, and glass bottles. Because of this, the pagoda is also called Ve Chai Pagoda. The pagoda spans 6,666.84 square meters, with the main hall being 12 meters wide and 33 meters long, featuring two rows of ceramic dragon columns. It holds the distinction of being the only pagoda in Vietnam to hold 11 national records. Not only does it boast remarkable architecture, but Linh Phuoc Pagoda in Da Lat also holds several national records. These include: the pagoda with the tallest bell tower in Vietnam, the pagoda with the tallest indoor concrete Buddha statue in Vietnam, the Guanyin Bodhisattva statue made from 600,000 everlasting flowers, the largest wooden peacock statue in Vietnam, the pagoda with the most ceramic pieces used in its creation, the largest wooden root containing the largest set of Buddhist scriptures in Vietnam, the largest sao wood bench in Vietnam, the artwork “Song Tùng Bách Hạc” that holds a Vietnamese record, and the architectural work depicting Mục Liên’s journey to find his mother through the 18 levels of hell, the largest of its kind in Vietnam.

The pagoda’s courtyard features a 49-meter long dragon shaped from 12,000 beer bottle caps, with the dragon’s mouth covering the statue of the Laughing Buddha. Opposite the courtyard stands the Linh Pháp Tower, which rises over 37 meters and consists of seven levels decorated with extraordinary statues. Inside the tower is the Đại Hồng Chung bell, measuring 4.3 meters in height and weighing 8,500 kilograms, making it one of the heaviest bells in Vietnam. Upon entering the main hall, visitors are awe-struck by the magnificent sight of 324 Guanyin Bodhisattva statues, including the largest reinforced concrete statue of its kind in Vietnam.

Address: Trai Mat, Da Lat City, Lam Dong

Khai Nguyên Pagoda in Sơn Tây, also known as Tản Viên Pagoda, carries the full title Tản Viên Sơn Quốc Tự. This grand pagoda is home to the largest statue of Buddha Amitabha in Southeast Asia. Khai Nguyên Pagoda has a history dating back to the early 11th century during the Lý Dynasty. Throughout centuries, it has undergone numerous changes and periods of destruction. The pagoda was relocated multiple times but has since been restored to its original site, retaining much of its antique beauty. Today, the pagoda is located in Khoang Sau Village, Sơn Đông Commune, Sơn Tây Town.

The architecture of Khai Nguyên Pagoda blends modern and traditional styles, characterized by the “internal strength, external form” concept. The worship halls follow a “Buddha in front, Ancestors in the back” arrangement. The rear of the pagoda houses the Tăng Road, left and right wings, the Báo Ấn Tower, the bell tower, and the drum tower. Additionally, a large rectangular pond in front of the pagoda remains clear like jade throughout the year. Atop the pond sits a pavilion mimicking the design of the One Pillar Pagoda. Inside the pavilion, there is a shrine to the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha and a collection of precious Ksitigarbha Sutras, attracting many Buddhist followers.

Aside from the giant statue drawing visitors’ attention, Khai Nguyên Pagoda is also known for its rich collection of Buddhist statues. Inside the main hall, 1975 statues of various sizes are displayed, contributing to its unique architectural form. Furthermore, the pagoda preserves valuable historical artifacts, such as two stone steles from the 19th year of the Cảnh Hưng era and the 14th year of the Gia Long era, as well as a bronze bell dating back to the 22nd year of the Tự Đức era. These items offer valuable insight into the cultural and historical significance of Khai Nguyên Pagoda.

Address: Tây Ninh Village, Sơn Đông, Sơn Tây, Hanoi

Bái Đính Pagoda is a large complex that holds many records in both Asia and Vietnam, such as having the largest gold-plated bronze Buddha statue in Asia, the longest Arhat corridor in Asia, and the largest bronze Maitreya statue in Southeast Asia. It is the largest and most record-breaking pagoda in Vietnam.

The construction and expansion of the new pagoda complex were completed with a grand ceremony during the World Vesak 2008, marking the opening of the first phase. In 2010, Bái Đính Pagoda hosted the first-ever Buddhist relic procession from India to Vietnam. The United Nations Vesak 2014, hosted by Vietnam, also took place at Bái Đính Pagoda in March 2014.

Located at the western gateway of the Hoa Lư ancient capital complex, along National Route 38B, in Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Viễn District, Ninh Bình, Bái Đính Pagoda is 15 kilometers from Ninh Bình City and 95 kilometers from Hanoi. The pagoda lies in the northern part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trang An.

Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Viễn, Ninh Bình

Perched atop a towering mountain, Đồng Yên Tử Temple stands as a proud testament to Vietnamese Buddhist culture. This is the very place where King Trần Nhân Tông abdicated the throne to embrace a life of meditation and founded the unique and widely practiced Yên Tử Trúc Lâm Zen sect in Vietnam. The temple’s remarkable structure is entirely crafted from bronze, positioned at the highest peak in the area. As a result, this sacred site has earned the title of the largest bronze temple in both Vietnam and Asia. The temple is the product of immense effort and skill from thousands of craftsmen. It is not only a symbol of artistic and technical achievement but also a revered, mystical destination attracting millions of visitors each year who come to pay respects, pray, and marvel at its beauty while traveling through Ha Long.

Weighing an astonishing 70 tons, the temple occupies a relatively modest space but stands firmly on the high rocky peak. Its architectural style, reminiscent of the Trần dynasty, features graceful curves and intricate motifs on the roof and eaves. Research reveals that to construct this grand temple, pure bronze was imported from Australia, with the structure consisting of 4,000 components, the heaviest weighing as much as 1.4 tons. Through meticulous craftsmanship, Đồng Temple has taken on the appearance of a golden lotus resting atop the sacred mountain.

Address: Yên Tử Peak, Yên Tử, Nam Mẫu, Uông Bí, Quảng Ninh

The One Pillar Pagoda is one of the most architecturally unique temples in Asia, symbolizing the culture and spiritual significance of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. With its ancient architectural beauty and rich historical values, this temple offers a fascinating insight into Vietnamese Buddhist culture.

Built during the reign of King Lý Thái Tông, the One Pillar Pagoda is known by various names, such as Mật Pagoda, Liên Hoa Đài, and Diên Hựu Tự. Originally located in Thanh Bảo village, Quảng Đức district, to the west of the Imperial City of Thăng Long, the pagoda is now situated in Ba Đình district, within a park behind Ông Ích Khiêm Street, near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Đình Square.

The creation of the One Pillar Pagoda is linked to a dream of King Lý Thái Tông in 1049. The king dreamt that the Goddess of Mercy, Quan Âm, presented him with a radiant lotus flower. Upon waking, he shared this mysterious dream with his officials. The Buddhist monk Thuyền Lã advised the king to build a pagoda to honor the kindness of Quan Âm.

Construction began in 1049, and under King Lý Nhân Tông’s reign, the pagoda was expanded with a pond called Linh Chiểu and a golden lotus tower at the top of the pillar. Inside the lotus, a purple-painted shrine was placed, adorned with sculptures of sacred birds on the roof, and a golden statue of Quan Thế Âm inside.

Address: One Pillar Pagoda, Đội Cấn, Ba Đình, Hanoi