Hanoi Capital is a long-standing historical land with a thousand years of civilization. This scenic city is famous for thousands of sacred ancient temples and pagodas. Tran Quoc Pagoda is among Vietnam’s most ancient spiritual destinations and a top must-visit place for everyone visiting Hanoi.
An Overview of Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi
Being over 1500 years old, Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of the oldest temples in Hanoi and Vietnam. Thanks to the ideal location on the eastern island of West Lake, the open space and lush nature in Tran Quoc Pagoda gracefully complement its ancient beauty. In the feudal era, Tran Quoc Pagoda is the spiritual center and the most scenic spot in Thang Long Citadel. Such timeless beauty that the Thrillist site voted Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi as one of the most beautiful temples in the world.
A Brief History of Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi
According to historical records, the pagoda was built near the banks of the Red River, belonging to the land of Yen Hoa village (later known as Yen Phu). Initially, the temple had a significant name, Khai Quoc (Start a Country). At that time, Ly Nam De (541 – 547) had just gained national independence and named the country Van Xuan. The king built the capital in the To Lich estuary, which was only a short distance from this village.
Under King Le Kinh Tong’s reign (around 1615), the pagoda was moved to Yen Phu Dike and built on the old foundations of Thuy Hoa Palace (Ly Dynasty) and Han Nguyen (Tran Dynasty).
In 1639, the Trinh lord repaired the gate and built corridors on both sides. During the reign of King Le Hy Tong during the Chinh Hoa (1680 – 1705), the pagoda was named Tran Quoc.
What to See at Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi
The building, with many exquisite details, was constructed according to the architectural philosophy of Buddhism. This work consists of three main houses: “Tien Duong,” “Thuong Dien,” and a votive-burning house. The houses are connected in the letter “Cong” (工) shape, with the “Tien Duong” facing towards the west. Therefore, from the front, the pagoda looks like a blooming lotus, making the pagoda’s architecture unique.
Behind the “Thuong Dien” is a bell tower, which is a three-room house. On the left is the “Nha To,” used for worshiping the gods and goddesses; on the right is a house built to preserve the 14 precious plaques describing the building course and the restoration of Tran Quoc Pagoda.
Passing through the gardens, visitors will see the Bodhi Tree with heart-shaped leaves. In 1959, Indian President Rajendra Prasad donated this bodhi tree to the temple. This is believed to be a branch of the sacred bodhi tree where the Buddha enlightened. Tourists and pilgrims from all over the world come here to honor this monument.
The tower “Luc Do Dai Sen” was built in 1998 and is symmetrically positioned with the Bodhi tree. It is 15 meters tall and consists of 11 floors. On each floor are six doorways where the Amitabha Buddha statues are placed. The top of the tower has a large sculpted lotus flower. The lotus symbolizes Buddhism in Vietnam, and the tree represents endless knowledge.
The temple museum is small but certainly worth exploring. Visitors can see amazing antique statues that are hundreds to thousands of years old.
Sunset is when the grace of the pagoda comes to life – the pink and orange clouds shimmering on the horizon behind the pagoda and tower.
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Klook.comAfter visiting and praying at the temple, visitors can explore two nearby attractions: Phu Tay Ho, located on the west side of the lake, and Quan Thanh Temple, which is close to Thanh Nien Road.
Google Map locations:
Phu Tay Ho: https://goo.gl/maps/73EaibpNBKYoHU8Z7
Quan Thanh Temple: https://goo.gl/maps/2KbyfGq9BnQzD4T6A
The Animal Release Rituals at Tran Quoc Pagoda
The Liberation Ceremony is one of the unique cultural features of the Vietnamese people, often held on January 15 (Lunar Calendar) or Vu Lan Festival (in July, according to Lunar Calendar). The ceremony is an activity where people release animals such as fish, turtles, snails … or even birds to show compassion for humans and make wishes for a prosperous year. Many people choose to carry out the Tran Quoc Pagoda release as they believe this is the most sacred place.
You can easily spot people selling tiny creatures for the rituals at the gate of Tran Quoc Pagoda, but most of the time, the price can be ridiculously high. If you wish to participate in the activity, visit the Dong Xuan or Long Bien markets. Snails can cost VND 8,000 – VND 10,000/ kg, small goldfish cost VND 2,000 VND each, and turtles cost VND 10,000 each. Another note is that tourists should not buy red-eared turtles for release, as this animal harms the environment.
Tran Quoc Pagoda: Opening Hours & Entrance Fee
Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM | 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Entrance fee: free
How to Get to Tran Quoc Pagoda
The pagoda is only about 4 kilometers from the city center. If visitors go by car or motorbike, it only takes 15 to 20 minutes to get there. You may have to pay a parking fee at Tran Quoc Pagoda.
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If visitors want to travel by bus, 2 bus routes stop very close to the temple gate: bus route 33 (Yen Nghia bus station—Xuan Dinh) and bus line 50 (Long Bien—My Dinh National Stadium).
Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi: Local’s Tips
According to the Lunar Calendar, Tran Quoc Pagoda is always crowded with worshipers, usually the locals, on the 1st and 15th days of the month. These two days are always a wonderful time for visitors to explore the religious culture of Vietnam. But avoiding these two days is a good idea if you don’t fancy huge crowds.
Just like any pagoda in the world, Tran Quoc Pagoda doesn’t allow worshipers and visitors to wear skin-showing clothes to the pagoda. The appropriate outfit must be tops with sleeves and bottoms that are over the knees in length.
When entering the shrines to worship, remember to remove hats, umbrellas, and shoes to show respect for the gods and the pagodas.
Summary of Tran Quoc Pagodas in Hanoi
Vietnam is a must-visit country for visitors highly interested in a spiritual tourist attraction. Once you set foot in this beautiful country, don’t miss the chance to visit the globally-scale beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda.
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