Besides some big and famous pagodas, Hanoi also has many other smaller but really beautiful and interesting with both attractive sightseeing and mysterious legends.
1. TRAN QUOC PAGODA
Located in the North of Hanoi, in the middle of West lake, Tran Quoc pagoda is considered to be the oldest one in Hanoi. Tran Quoc pagoda is not only the oldest pagoda in Hanoi but it is also one of the most unique pagodas of Vietnam.
This pagoda was built under Ly Nam De dynasty, about 544 – 548. At the first time, this pagoda located on Red river bank, An Hoa village, Quang Duc district (Yen Phu, Tay Ho now). At that time, there was a big collapse of the river bank, therefore, the pagoda was moved to the current place in 1615.
For many years, Tran Quoc pagoda has had many different names like Khai Quoc, An Quoc, Tran Bac. At the end of 17th century, under Le Hy Tong dynasty, this pagoda was named like it is today
Considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam's literary and intellectual circles. It is the place to worship National Hero Tran Hung Dao, who was the famous general, led the Vietnamese people to victory over the Yuan aggressors.
Hoe Nhai Pagoda is located at 19 Hang Than street, Ba Dinh district. Hoe Nhai is pagoda’s location so people named for pagoda like that. The original name is Hồng Phúc Tự. It means “Pagoda of Immense Beatitude”.
The One Pillar Pagoda or Dien Huu Pagoda , which literally means “long lasting happiness and luckiness”) is a historic Buddhist pagoda in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. As visiting Hanoi, tourists may come to various other monuments, parks and historical places. However, the One-Pillar Pagoda reflects the architectural splendor that the country has grown.
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| Tran Quoc Pagoda |
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| Tower garden in Tran Quoc |
This pagoda was built under Ly Nam De dynasty, about 544 – 548. At the first time, this pagoda located on Red river bank, An Hoa village, Quang Duc district (Yen Phu, Tay Ho now). At that time, there was a big collapse of the river bank, therefore, the pagoda was moved to the current place in 1615.
For many years, Tran Quoc pagoda has had many different names like Khai Quoc, An Quoc, Tran Bac. At the end of 17th century, under Le Hy Tong dynasty, this pagoda was named like it is today
2. NGOC SON TEMPLE
Considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam's literary and intellectual circles. It is the place to worship National Hero Tran Hung Dao, who was the famous general, led the Vietnamese people to victory over the Yuan aggressors.
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| Ngoc Son Temple main gate |
The temple as it is today was made by Nguyen Van Sieu in 1864. A Confucian scholar, Nguyen Van Sieu had a large pen-shaped tower built at the entrance of the temple. On the upper section of the tower, also called Pen Tower, are three Chinese characters: “Ta Thanh Thien”, which literally means "to write on the blue sky” is to imply the height of a genuine and righteous man's determination and will, meaning "ink stand", is carved from stone resembling a peach placed on the back of the three frogs on top of the gate to the temple; and The Huc bridge which means "where first coming of morning sunshine touch".
HOE NHAI PAGODA
Hoe Nhai Pagoda is located at 19 Hang Than street, Ba Dinh district. Hoe Nhai is pagoda’s location so people named for pagoda like that. The original name is Hồng Phúc Tự. It means “Pagoda of Immense Beatitude”.
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| Hoe Nhai Gate |
It was built in 1010 under Ly dynasty. At the beginning time, it was one of the largest in the capital, covered 3000 m2 area. Because of war, pagoda was destroyed. Until 17th century, the nanny of King Le Hy Tong, who was born at this place, was rebuilt Hong Phuc pagoda. She invited Monk. Thuy Nguyet to become Senior Monk. Thuy Nguyet was the first monk who expanded Tao Dong sect into Vietnam.
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| Special Statue inside Hoe Nhai Pagoda |
During its history, Hoe Nhai pagoda had 48 Senior Monks and had a lot of changed. Nowadays, Hoe Nhai pagoda covers 1000m2 with 5 houses, and surrounding garden and stupas.
There are 68 statues in pagoda, 28 stone steles. Moreover, Hoe Nhai pagoda is still keeping a lot of valuable stuffs for history, cultural, arts.
There are 68 statues in pagoda, 28 stone steles. Moreover, Hoe Nhai pagoda is still keeping a lot of valuable stuffs for history, cultural, arts.
ONE PILLAR PAGODA
The One Pillar Pagoda or Dien Huu Pagoda , which literally means “long lasting happiness and luckiness”) is a historic Buddhist pagoda in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. As visiting Hanoi, tourists may come to various other monuments, parks and historical places. However, the One-Pillar Pagoda reflects the architectural splendor that the country has grown.
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| One pillar pagoda |
It is said that, Emperor Ly Thai To of the Ly dynasty, who had no children, used to go to pagodas to pray to Buddha for a child. One night, he dreamt that he was granted a private audience to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who was sat on a great lotus flower in a square-shaped lotus pond on the western side of Thang Long Citadel, gave the King a Babyboy. One month later, when the Queen had pregnant and gave birth to a male child, the Emperor ordered the construction of a pagoda supported by only one pillar to resemble the lotus seat of his dream in the honor of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. According to a theory, the pagoda was built in a style of a lotus emerging out of the water.
LANG PAGODA
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| Lang Pagoda |
The Lang Pagoda was built under the reign of King Ly Anh Tong (1138-1175). Over 8 centuries have elapsed since its original construction and its exterior has undergone numerous changes during repairs. It was last altered during the mid-19th century.
The beauty of the Pagoda's architecture is its own very composition, harmonious and balanced. The gate is a line of four brick pillars with three intricately curved roofs. The square pillars stretch skyward with the two central pillars the highest ones. The three curved roofs are not on top of the pillars but rather attached to their sides with the mid-roof higher than the other two, thus creating a solemn gesture.
Hanoi still has so many other interesting temples and pagodas that are very closed to Hanoi people's life. Hope that you may have interest on things like that
