7 Thanh Niên, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Located on a small peninsula on the eastern part of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi and in Vietnam. With more than 1500 years of history since constructed, this pagoda was as famous as the most hallowed Buddhism center in Hanoi that it attracts a large numbers of Buddhists and tourists coming here.

Famous for stunning scenery and sacred sanctuary, Tran Quoc Pagoda used to be a favorite sightseeing place of many kings and lords of Vietnam, especially during festivals, full moon days or Tet’s holiday. Up until now, the pagoda can still preserve its fame although the landscape has been affected by urbanization. Besides the front gate facing the crowded Thanh Nien Road, this 3,000m2 complex is surrounded by sliver tide of West Lake, and is designed according to strict rules of Buddhist architecture with many layers of buildings and three main houses called “Tiền Đường” (a house for burning incense) and “Thượng Điện”. These rooms are connected with each other to form a Công script (工).

Tran Quoc pagoda is also a small museum of priceless antiques dated thousands to hundreds years old like worshiping statues in the front house. These statues are all engraved and polished meticulously by skillful craftsmen, which all bear spectacular features. Among them, the outstanding one is the statue “Thích ca thập niết bàn”, which is evaluated as the most beautiful statue of Vietnam.

With all the historical and architectural values, Tran Quoc Pagoda is not only worth visiting as a sacred sanctuary of Buddhism attracting countless Buddhist believers; but also an indispensable destination for cultural explorers to Vietnam.