Vietnam Pagodas

Đồng Vũ Pagoda

Ninh Bình(formerly Hà Nam)(Chùa Đồng Vũ)

Overview & history

Đồng Vũ Pagoda is located in Đồng Vũ hamlet, Đạo Lý commune, Lý Nhân district. According to the inscription engraved on the "Sùng Khánh tự bia" stele, dated to the 4th year of Nguyên Thống (1525), the pagoda was built in the early Lê Sơ period, on a raised plot of land, isolated to the south of the village. In the 13th year of Bảo Đại (1937), the village relocated the pagoda to a plot of land to the left of the đình (communal house), facilitating the religious activities of the villagers. At present, the pagoda still preserves many ancient and rare worship objects and valuable books, among which the most notable is the stone khánh (a traditional percussion instrument).

Visiting tips

  • Dress modestly; remove hats and keep quiet inside the main hall.
  • Incense, flowers and offerings are usually sold right outside the gate; light an odd number of sticks (1 or 3).
  • Most pagodas open from early morning to evening and are free to enter (some major sites charge a small scenic fee).
  • Full-moon days, the 1st of the lunar month and Tet are very crowded; visit on weekday mornings for a quiet experience.
  • Ask permission before photographing inside shrines; do not touch statues or altar objects.

Other pagodas in Ninh Bình

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Chùa Bà Đanh
Bà Đanh Pagoda is a pagoda located in Đanh village, Kim Bảng ward, Ninh Bình province, covering an area of about 10 hectares. The pagoda faces south towards the Đáy River. On the outermost side, adjacent to the road and near the riverbank, is the pagoda's tam quan (three-entrance gate). This structure is built on an elevated foundation, raised above five steps, with both ends constructed as solid walls. The tam quan has three compartments and is built with two storeys. The upper storey has two layers of roofs covered with southern-style tiles, and around the wooden floor is a balustrade with decorative balusters. This upper floor is used as a bell tower, while the three compartments below have a system of doors made from ironwood.
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Chùa Thanh Am
Thanh Am Pagoda, also known as Thanh Am Tự or Vật Pagoda, is an ancient pagoda located in Tiền hamlet, Hư Tả commune, Nam Chân district, Trấn Sơn nam hạ, now situated in Đoài Đông hamlet, Vị Khê ward, Ninh Bình province. Thanh Am Pagoda still preserves many high-value artistic carvings from the Lê Trung Hưng period. The pagoda festival is held on the 14th and 15th days of the second lunar month. In addition to the procession of sacred texts, ritual offerings, and recitation of Buddhist verses, there are also children's wrestling matches, and wrestlers from the region come to perform for the deities and compete for prizes.
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Chùa Tràn
Tràn Pagoda, also known as Phúc Lâm Tự, is an ancient pagoda. In the past, it was located in Tràn village, hence its name; today, it is situated in Khang Giang hamlet, Yên Đồng commune, Ninh Bình province. The pagoda was built during the Lý dynasty (late 11th century). Initially, it was constructed with earthen walls and thatched roofs; up to now, the pagoda has undergone three major restorations. On the bell tower of the pagoda, there remains a parallel sentence composed by Phạm Văn Nghị, a Nguyễn dynasty doctoral laureate.
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Chùa Tự Lạc
Tự Lạc Pagoda, with the formal name Thái An tự, is located in Hamlet 11, Xuân Hưng Commune, Ninh Bình Province. During the period of revolution and resistance against the French, the pagoda served as a place to shelter communist cadres and print documents. At the pagoda, the monk Thích Thanh Điến actively mobilised Buddhists to support the revolutionary movement and the resistance movement against French colonialism. The pagoda was the site where the first Communist Party cell of the three districts of Xuân Trường, Hải Hậu, and Giao Thủy was established. The festival of Tự Lạc Pagoda and Temple is held annually on the death anniversary of Đức Triệu Việt Vương, which falls on the 13th day of the eighth lunar month. On 26 February 2003, Tự Lạc Pagoda was recognised as a Historical and Cultural Site.
Chùa Bà Ngô (Ninh Bình)
Chùa Bà Ngô (Ninh Bình)
Bà Ngô Pagoda is an ancient pagoda belonging to the special national relic complex of the former capital Hoa Lư. The pagoda was built during the Đinh dynasty, right beside the right bank of the Hoàng Long River dyke and adjacent to the outer area of the old Hoa Lư citadel. Bà Ngô Pagoda was founded by Lady Ngô, the empress of Đinh Tiên Hoàng and mother of one of the Twelve Warlords, Ngô Nhật Khánh.
Chùa Bái Đính
Chùa Bái Đính
Bái Đính Pagoda (Vietnamese: Chùa Bái Đính, Chữ Hán: 沛嵿寺) or Bái Đính Pagoda Spiritual and Cultural Complex is a complex of Buddhist temples on Bái Đính Mountain in Gia Viễn District, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam. The compound consists of the original old temple and a newly created larger temple. It is considered one of the largest Buddhist temples in Vietnam (along with Tam Chuc Pagoda) and has become a popular site for Buddhist pilgrimages from across Vietnam.