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Like Ninh Binh, Bac Ninh was also a place that experienced the prosperity of Buddhism in Vietnam. Tourists traveling to Bac Ninh will be able to see the traces of Buddhism through many Buddhist works here, typically the 7 ancient pagodas of Kinh Bac - Bac Ninh.
Although the number is not as large as the pagodas in Hoi An, the pagodas in Bac Ninh have a unique beauty, making this place worthy of the title "cradle of Buddhism" in Vietnam.
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1. Phat Tich Pagoda
Phat Tich Pagoda, also known as Van Phuc Pagoda, was built in 1057, during the Ly Dynasty. The pagoda has famous works such as the 27m high Amitabha Buddha statue located on the top of the mountain from the Ly Dynasty, or the historical Quang Pho Tower. There are also many ancient and peaceful worship halls here.
With the great historical and cultural values that Phat Tich Pagoda possesses, in 1962, the Ministry of Culture recognized Phat Tich Pagoda as a Historical-Cultural Monument.
2. Dau Pagoda
Dau Pagoda is considered a cultural and religious work with extremely great and profound historical cultural value, including religious beliefs and artistic architecture.
Since construction began in 187 and was completed in 226, Dau Pagoda has a lifespan of about 1800 years, which makes it the oldest pagoda in the whole country, surpassing the Tran Quoc Pagoda - the oldest pagoda in Hanoi.
The pagoda consists of 4 rows of houses linked together to form a rectangle, surrounding the front hall, upper hall, and Thien Huong (a place for monks to chant sutras). The greatest construction here is the 17m high Hoa Phong tower built of large bricks, with bronze bells inside. Together with several neighboring pagodas, Dau Pagoda creates the largest Buddhist center in Vietnam and the region.
3. But Thap Pagoda
But Thap Pagoda is also called Ninh Phuc Pagoda, about 25km east of Hanoi center. But Thap is one of the ancient pagodas that has a unique architecture with a history of nearly 800 years and is a destination that attracts a large number of tourists.
After 5 times of restoration, the temple's architecture is still considered by experts to be the temple with the most complete scale architecture left in Vietnam. The unique thing about But Thap Pagoda is the stone stupa, called Bao Nghiem Tower. The tower has the shape of a giant pen standing out in the vast plain.
4. Tieu Pagoda
This pagoda has long been famous as a place of meditation and is one of the ancient Buddhist centers of Vietnam. Tieu Pagoda is a place to worship Zen Master Van Hanh, who raised Ly Cong Uan, the king who later founded the feudal Ly dynasty and moved the capital to Thang Long (now Hanoi).
There is an ancient tower garden here, where 14 stupas are placed to worship the monks who once lived at the temple. Not only that, but this pagoda also bears the bold architectural features of the Ly Dynasty, which makes it different from many other famous pagodas in Bac Ninh.
5. Ham Long Pagoda
Ham Long Pagoda is popularly known as the temple located in the dragon's jaw position, with ancient trees hundreds of years old, and is about 40 km from Hanoi. In 1988, Ham Long Pagoda was recognized as a historical and cultural relic.
The pagoda was founded in 1115, during the Ly Dynasty by the monk Trinh Thap. The reason it is called Ham Long (dragon’s jaw) is that it has Than Mountain, which looks like a desk shielding the house in front, surrounded by the mountains Phung Hoang, Ky Lan, and Turtle Mountain.
The pagoda has ancient architecture with moss-covered towers and a temple roof covered with the color of time. Its quiet and humble appearance is in complete contrast to the crowded scene of visitors coming to pray. Pagoda festivals usually take place on the 14th day of the second lunar month.
6. Do Temple
Do Temple, also known as Ly Bat De Temple, is a place to worship 8 Ly Dynasty kings. Although it has undergone many renovations, this temple still retains its ancient architecture combining both royal and folk features.
On the left side of the main gate of the Temple is written the letter "Edict to move the capital" of King Ly Thai To (Ly Cong Uan) with exactly 214 words, corresponding to 214 years of the reign of 8 kings of the Ly dynasty. On the right is the heroic poem "Nam Quoc Son Ha" which is considered Vietnam’s first declaration of independence.
7. Linh Ung Pagoda
Having the same name as a pagoda in Da Nang, Linh Ung Pagoda in Bac Ninh, also known as Ngoc Kham Pagoda, is one of the most sacred ancient pagodas in the region. The construction of the pagoda began during the Tran Dynasty, but during the resistance war against the French, the pagoda was destroyed, with only 3 stone statues remaining.
The current Ngoc Kham Pagoda was rebuilt on the old pagoda grounds in 1986, including works such as Tam Bao (three jewels), Tam Quan (three gates), and two rows of corridor houses, each side has 6 compartments.
The stele at the pagoda records that the statue of The Buddhas of the three times at Linh Ung pagoda was created in the 17th century, during the reign of King Le Trung Hung, and has a pedestal height of about 2.7m. These ancient stone statues and the relics of Linh Ung pagoda today were ranked as historical and cultural relics in 1981. At the end of 2013, the three stone statues of The Buddhas of the three times were recognized by the Prime Minister and became a national treasure.
Along with the most famous pagodas in Vietnam such as Yen Tu Pagoda, Perfume Pagoda, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Tay Phuong Pagoda, and Thien Mu Pagoda, the 7 ancient pagodas in Bac Ninh have also become places with great contributions to maintaining and developing Buddhism in Vietnam.
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