Top 11 Most Famous Religious and Spiritual Sites in Vietnam

Con Temple is not only a sacred place of worship but also offers a tranquil and picturesque landscape. The temple is deeply connected to the mystical tale of the Four Holy Mothers of the Southern Song Dynasty. Con Temple is dedicated to the worship of the Four Holy Mothers: Empress Duong Nguyet Qua, her nursemaid, and two princesses named Trieu Nguyet Khieu and Trieu Nguyet Huong.

Notably, Con Temple is famous for being the only temple where three kings visited to pray for victory over invaders, and their wishes were granted.

• In 1312, King Tran Anh Tong, while leading his army against the Champa Kingdom, stopped at Con Temple to offer gifts in gratitude. Afterward, he won the battle against the Cham invaders. Upon his return, the king held a thanksgiving ceremony and consecrated the female deity of Con Temple.
• Between 1418 and 1428, the hero Le Loi, leader of the Lam Son uprising, frequently offered gifts at Con Temple to receive talismans for protection in battle. After ascending the throne, King Le used many honorifics to show reverence for the temple.
• In 1470, King Le Thanh Tong, leading a fleet of 5,000 ships and 25,000 troops to invade Champa, stopped at Con Temple to offer gifts and pray for victory. In that battle, the king achieved a decisive victory and even captured the Cham king.

Due to the divine intervention of the Four Holy Mothers in granting victory over invaders, the king generously funded the construction of a grand and majestic temple, which became a center of worship for the coastal community. Thanks to the temple’s sacred reputation, every year, a large number of pilgrims from all over come to pray for blessings for themselves and their families.

Con Temple was recognized as a National Historic and Cultural Monument under Decision No. 68-VH/QD on January 29, 1993, by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Location: Quynh Phuong Commune, Quynh Lu District, Nghe An Province

Festival: Held annually on the 19th, 20th, and 21st days of the first lunar month.

Huong Tich Pagoda, also known as the "First Scenic Spot of Hoan Chau," is an ancient temple recognized as a National Historic Monument and a popular spiritual and cultural destination, attracting over 150,000 visitors annually. The temple is dedicated to the worship of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Quan Am).

The pagoda is associated with a fascinating legend about Princess Dieu Thien, daughter of King Trang Vuong of the State of Chu. According to the legend, when the princess learned that her father intended to marry her off to a cruel military official, she fled and took refuge in a temple. During a fire, the princess was protected by the Buddha, who guided her to the Hong Linh Mountains, where she built a hermitage for meditation.

Later, upon hearing that her father was ill, the princess sacrificed her eyes and hands to cure him. Moved by this act, the Buddha miraculously restored her eyes and hands. She attained enlightenment and transformed into the Thousand-Eyes, Thousand-Hands Avalokitesvara.

Huong Tich Pagoda is located 650 meters above sea level, surrounded by majestic mountains and forests, offering breathtaking views. The pagoda has three main areas: the Holy Mother Shrine, the Heavenly King Temple, and the Upper Temple. The Tam Bao Hall is the most special part of the pagoda, housing around 54 Buddhist statues carved from rare and ancient wood.

In 1990, the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture and Information officially recognized Huong Tich Pagoda as a National Cultural and Scenic Monument.

Location: Located on the Hong Linh Mountain Range, in Thien Loc Commune, Can Loc District, Ha Tinh Province.

Located on the eastern shore of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda, with a history spanning over 1500 years, is one of Hanoi's most ancient and sacred temples. Once the center of Buddhism during the Ly and Tran dynasties, it has become a popular spiritual destination, attracting many visitors each year. In 2016, the British newspaper "Daily Mail" listed Tran Quoc Pagoda as one of the 16 most beautiful temples in the world.

Founded in the 6th century during the reign of King Ly Nam De, the pagoda was initially named Khai Quoc (Opening the Country) and was located outside the Yen Phu dyke. In 1615, due to erosion along the riverbank, the pagoda was relocated to the current site by the West Lake, where it changed its name several times, including An Quoc, Tran Quoc, and Tran Bac.

The pagoda boasts an impressive structure, featuring a main hall, a heavenly pavilion, an upper temple, two wings, a bell tower, an ancestral hall, and a stone tablet house. There are 14 ancient stone tablets inside, detailing the temple's history and renovation processes. Notably, the pagoda also has a large tower garden with many pagodas, and a Bodhi tree, which was a gift from the President of India during his visit to Hanoi in 1959.

Location: 46 Thanh Nien Street, Yen Phu Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi

Co Loa Citadel is one of the oldest ancient citadels in Vietnam, constructed in the 3rd century BC as the capital of the Au Lac Kingdom, now located in Dong Anh District, Hanoi. The citadel follows a spiral design (hence the name Loa Citadel). Legend says that there were nine rings of defense, with a deep moat surrounding it, allowing boats to navigate through. Today, the ruins of Co Loa feature three rings of earthen walls: the outer wall (8 km in circumference), the middle wall (polygonal in shape, 6.5 km in circumference), and the inner wall (rectangular, 1.6 km in circumference).

The citadel is deeply rooted in Vietnamese mythology, including stories about King An Duong Vuong building the capital, the magical crossbow of the Golden Turtle God that shot down hundreds of invaders, and the tragic love story between My Chau and Trong Thuy. For generations, the remnants of the ancient citadel and the legendary figures associated with it have become an integral part of the Vietnamese people's collective consciousness. This article only briefly touches on the cultural significance of this special national heritage site in the 1,000-year-old capital.

Regarding the citadel's architecture: Beyond the village gate, which also serves as the citadel's gate, lies the Co Loa communal house. Nearby is the shrine of Princess My Chau, where a headless stone statue is believed to represent My Chau. Passing this shrine leads to the An Duong Vuong Temple, which stands before the Ngoc Well, said to be the site where Trong Thuy committed suicide out of remorse.

On November 15, 2021, the Hanoi People's Committee issued Decision No. 4839/QD-UBND recognizing the Co Loa Citadel as a Special National Historical Site.

Location: The Co Loa heritage site spans across the three communes of Co Loa, Duc Tu, and Viet Hung in Dong Anh District, Hanoi.

Van Mieu is the oldest university in Vietnam, founded in October 1070. It is dedicated to Confucius, revered scholars of Confucianism, and Chu Van An, the renowned educator who contributed greatly to Vietnam's educational system. In 1076, the National University (Quoc Tu Giam) was established near the Temple, originally to serve as an educational center for the royal princes, but later expanded to admit talented students from across the country.

The temple is surrounded by brick walls, with five distinct sections divided by additional walls, each with separate entrances:

• First Section: From the main entrance, Van Mieu Mon, to the Đại Trung Mon gate, with two smaller gates, Thành Đức Môn and Đạt Tài Môn, on either side.
• Second Section: From Đại Trung Mon to the Khuê Văn Các Pavilion (which has become a symbol of Hanoi City).
• Third Section: This includes the Thiên Quang Tỉnh (Well of Heavenly Reflection), a square pond. On either side of the pond are the stelae pavilions, which house stone stelae inscribed with the names of top scholars from the royal exams. The 82 stelae, dating from 1442 to 1779, are some of the most valuable artifacts housed here.
• Fourth Section: The central area housing the main structures of the temple, consisting of two parallel buildings: the outer hall, Bai Duong, and the inner hall, Thuong Cung.

In March 2010, the 82 stelae of the Doctoral Exams from the Le and Mac dynasties at Van Mieu were recognized by UNESCO as a Documentary Heritage of the Asia-Pacific region. On July 27, 2011, these stelae were further recognized as a global Documentary Heritage.

Location: Quoc Tu Giam Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi

Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the oldest and most beautiful architectural sites in Hue. With its centuries-old history and stunning architecture, it has never lost its charm for both local and international visitors.

The pagoda is associated with a legend: when Lord Nguyen Hoang was appointed as the governor of Thuan Hoa, he personally explored the land to prepare for his plans to expand the Nguyen dynasty's empire. The locals reported that a woman often appeared on the hill at night, telling them, 'A true leader will come here to build a pagoda, gathering spiritual energy to strengthen the nation's power.' This place is also known as Thien Mu Mountain. The vision of Lord Nguyen Hoang seemed to be supported by the people. Overjoyed, he ordered the construction of a pagoda on the hill in 1601.

In 1665, Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan had the pagoda renovated. In 1710, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu commissioned the casting of a large bell, the Đại Hồng Chung, measuring 2.5 meters in height, 1.4 meters in diameter, and weighing 2,052 kilograms. In 1715, a 2.6-meter-tall stone tablet, 1.25 meters wide, was created and placed on the back of a 2.2-meter-long, 1.6-meter-wide marble turtle.

The two main architectural features of the pagoda are the Phuoc Duyen Tower and the Dai Hung Shrine:

• The Phuoc Duyen Tower was built in 1844 by Emperor Thieu Tri. The octagonal tower is 7 stories tall, standing at 21 meters.
• The Dai Hung Shrine is the main hall of the pagoda, with magnificent and imposing architecture. It houses a bronze statue of Buddha, numerous other statues, a bell cast in 1677, and a wooden plaque with gold leaf gifted by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu in 1714.

This site was recognized as a national architectural heritage site under Decision No. 1964-QD-VH/TT on August 27, 1996, by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Location: Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Street, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province.

Po Nagar Cham Towers is a significant historical and cultural monument, a unique and exemplary display of Champa architecture and sculpture, located on Cu Lao Hill with a view of the East Sea. This site once served as one of the key religious centers for the Champa Kingdom, dedicated to the goddess Po Nagar, the Mother of the Cham people, as well as Thien Y Ana, one of the three prominent female deities who govern different regions of Vietnam: Liễu Hạnh in the North, Thien Y Ana in Central Vietnam, and Linh Sơn Thánh Mẫu (Bà Đen) in the South.

Legend has it that Queen Po Nagar, or Yang Po Nagar, was born of the sky and sea foam. She is credited with creating the Earth, bringing forth valuable wood, crops, and rice, and teaching the Cham people to farm, raise livestock, weave, and lead prosperous and happy lives.

The Po Nagar Cham Towers complex consists of three main sections: the Gate Tower area, the Front Shrine area, and the Temple Towers area.

The Gate Tower area was once an impressive entrance, designed to blend perfectly with the overall temple layout. Over time, the gate itself has eroded, leaving only stone steps leading up to the middle level.
The Front Shrine area features four large columns made from fired bricks, with 10 larger inner columns and 12 smaller octagonal columns on the outer side. What makes this structure particularly intriguing is that the bricks used to build the tower are exceptionally large and were laid with minimal binding material.
The Temple Towers area includes two rows of towers. The front row contains three towers, with the tallest being the Po Nagar tower. The back row, which once held three parallel towers, now only has one remaining.

Location: 61 Hai Thang Tu Street, Vinh Phuoc Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province

Festival: From the 20th to the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month annually

Linh Son Thánh Mẫu Temple is located in Tay Ninh City and is one of the renowned spiritual sites in the Ba Den Mountain complex. The temple honors Linh Son Thánh Mẫu, a prominent female deity who is one of the three great female deities governing Vietnam: Liễu Hạnh in the North, Thien Y Ana in Central Vietnam, and Linh Son Thánh Mẫu (also known as Ba Den) in the South.

Legend has it that the figure of Linh Son Thánh Mẫu or Ba Den originates from the story of a girl named Ly Thi Thien Huong, who was honored by Emperor Bao Dai in 1935 with the title "Duc Bao Trung Hung Linh Phu Chi Than". Some scholars also suggest that this belief system has roots in Hindu culture, drawing influences from deities like Mariamman (India), Kali (Indonesia), and Niềng Khmau (Cambodia).

Inside the main hall, the statue of the goddess is placed at the central position, with smaller shrines surrounding it. In some temples, the statue is enshrined alongside other figures as a protector of the Three Jewels. This arrangement follows the custom of having the goddess's altar positioned behind the Buddha's altar and facing the ancestral altar, adhering to the principle of "Buddha in the front, goddess in the back".

Location: Thanh Tan Commune, Tay Ninh City, Tay Ninh Province

Festival: The Linh Son Thánh Mẫu Festival takes place from the 4th to the 6th day of the 5th lunar month annually

Hung Kings Historical Complex is a sacred site dedicated to the worship of the Hung Kings and their descendants, located on Nghia Linh Mountain. It is closely linked with the Hung Kings’ death anniversary, celebrated annually on the 10th of the 3rd lunar month. The site has been a focal point for the nation’s cultural and historical identity for centuries.

This cultural heritage site, established in the 15th century, features four main temples: the Lower Temple and Pagoda, the Well Temple, the Central Temple, and the Upper Temple, along with the tomb of the Hung Kings. The complex is beautifully integrated into the surrounding landscape, offering awe-inspiring views and a majestic setting. Legend has it that this was the place where the eldest son of the mythical Lac Long Quan and Au Co ascended to the throne, naming the nation Van Lang.

The complex consists of the following:

• Lower Temple: Constructed during the Late Le Dynasty (17th-18th century), this temple follows a “double” architectural style with two sections: the Front Hall and the Rear Sanctuary, each with three bays and a gap of 1.5 meters between them.
• Central Temple (Hung Kings Ancestor Temple): Built in the 12th century during the Tran Dynasty, this temple follows a “single” architectural style, featuring three sections facing south, with a length of 7.2 meters and a width of 3.7 meters.
• Upper Temple: Known as the Nine Heavens Palace, this temple features a unique design with four levels: the Bell Tower (Level 1), the Main Hall (Level 2), the Front Sanctuary (Level 3), and the Rear Sanctuary (Level 4).
• The Tomb of the Hung Kings: This is believed to be the burial site of the 6th Hung King. Located east of the Upper Temple, the tomb faces southeast, with its head towards the mountain and its feet towards the water.
• The Well Temple: Built in the 18th century, this temple follows a “gong” style of architecture. Inside is the Ngoc Well, which remains full of clear water throughout the year. The temple is dedicated to the two daughters of the 18th Hung King, who are said to have used the well for combing their hair and admiring their reflections.

On October 22, 2020, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism officially recognized the Hung Kings Historical Complex as a National Tourism Area.

Location: Nghia Linh Mountain, Hy Cuong Commune, Viet Tri City, Phu Tho Province

Festival: Celebrated annually on the 10th of the 3rd lunar month.

The Yen Tu Scenic and Historical Site is a vast complex consisting of 11 temples, hundreds of shrines, towers, statues, ancient trees, and natural landscapes scattered along the mountain’s ascent. It is the birthplace of the Truc Lam Zen sect, established in the late 13th century. Yen Tu Mountain, located in the northeastern region, is home to Dong Temple, which sits at an elevation of 1,068 meters. The mountain has long been renowned for its breathtaking beauty and is recognized as one of Vietnam’s most famous peaks.

Yen Tu Mountain, towering at 1,068 meters, has been regarded as a national treasure since ancient times. As early as the 10th century, the sage Yen Ky Sinh came here to meditate and attain enlightenment. However, Yen Tu only gained widespread fame when King Tran Nhan Tong, at the height of his reign in the late 13th century, abdicated the throne to come to this mountain for meditation, study of Buddhism, and to become the first patriarch of the Truc Lam Zen sect, adopting the name Dieu Ngut Giac Hoang. The second and third patriarchs to continue his legacy were Phap Hoa Dong Kien Cuong and Huyen Quang Ly Dao Tai. This marked the beginning of Yen Tu as the intellectual capital of Vietnamese Buddhism, influencing the philosophical and spiritual development of the nation during that era.

Today, the Yen Tu cable car system has been operational, bringing visitors to Hoa Yen Pagoda at 543 meters, where two 700-year-old trees stand. From there, visitors continue their journey up the mountain, passing by various pagodas along the way to the Dong Temple.

On September 27, 2012, the Yen Tu Scenic and Historical Site was officially designated as a National Special Relic by the Prime Minister, under Decision No. 1419/QD-TTg.

Location: Thuong Yen Cong Commune, Uong Bi Town, Quang Ninh Province

Festival: Begins on the 10th day of the first lunar month and lasts until the end of the third lunar month.

The Tây Thiên Scenic and Historical Site covers an area of approximately 148 hectares, often referred to as the Land of Buddha. Located within the Tam Dao mountain range, its elevation ranges from 54m to 1,100m above sea level. The area features a picturesque landscape with Truc Lam Zen Monastery, ancient pagodas, Gold Stream, Silver Waterfall, Trường Sinh Stream, Giải Oan Stream, and a historic banyan tree with nine roots.

Tây Thiên is a sacred site dedicated to the Mother Goddess cult and is also the birthplace of Vietnamese Buddhism. During the Lunar New Year, people from all over gather here for a pilgrimage, seeking blessings from both Buddha and the Mother Goddess. The visit symbolizes a journey to the eternal world of the Buddha and returning to the nurturing embrace of the Mother, seeking her protection, love, health, and prosperity.

Upon entering the site, visitors will encounter the ancient banyan tree casting its shade over Hữu Huyền Cung (the Thõng Temple). Behind it is the Giải Oan Stream. Higher up is the Silver Waterfall, where water cascades over 40 meters, sparkling like silver, flowing into the Gold Stream and the Lotus Pond before merging with the Giải Oan Stream. Continuing upward, visitors will reach Đầm Sen, Ao Dứa, and Mount Rùng Rình, where diverse wildlife and valuable ecosystems are preserved. Further up, about 3 kilometers from here, lies the ancient Đồng Cổ Pagoda, which houses two mysterious Buddha statues, whose origins remain unknown to archaeologists.

The Tây Thiên forest is home to ancient pine trees that have stood for thousands of years. The site’s rich biodiversity, combined with its cultural and archaeological significance, makes Tây Thiên a major attraction for both tourists and researchers.

On December 23, 2015, the Tây Thiên - Tam Dao historical and scenic site was officially recognized as a National Special Relic by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 1419/QD-TTg.

Location: Đại Đình Commune, Tam Đảo District, Vĩnh Phúc Province. Tây Thiên is located on the slopes of Mount Thạch Bàn in the Tam Đảo mountain range.