Khải Nam Pagoda

Khải Nam Pagoda is a pagoda with a history of more than 8 centuries, located in Sầm Sơn ward, Thanh Hóa province. The pagoda has been classified by the Vietnamese state as a National Historical and Cultural Relic within the Khải Nam Pagoda – Cá Lập Temple relic complex.

According to legend, Khải Nam Pagoda dates back to the reign of Trần Anh Tông (1293–1314). The Sino-Vietnamese name Khải Nam (啟南) of the pagoda means "Opening the door to welcome the people of the southern land". At first, the pagoda was built only with bamboo and thatch, with earthen walls, temporarily used as a place for worshipping the Buddha and religious activities. During the Lê Trung Hưng period (16th–18th centuries), the pagoda was rebuilt on a grand scale, with a magnificent Tam quan (triple gate), and a splendid Main Hall. In the Nguyễn dynasty, in 1870, the pagoda was rebuilt once more with even larger architecture. However, due to external impacts from natural disasters, war, and the erosion of time, the pagoda became a ruin. In the late 20th century, the old pagoda's foundation was used to build a school, now Quảng Tiến 1 Primary School.

In 2011, Khải Nam Pagoda was rebuilt at a new location near the old foundation, with a grand and spacious appearance, becoming an important spiritual site attracting many visitors to Sầm Sơn city.

The architecture of the old pagoda, based on documents and remaining historical evidence, especially the Lưu phương bi ký stele erected in the 23rd year of Tự Đức (1870), shows that Khải Nam Pagoda was an architectural and artistic work, a source of pride for the craftsmen of Quảng Tiến ward. The pagoda was once known as "An Nam đệ nhất Ải Tự" (the foremost border pagoda of An Nam), referring to the sacredness of Khải Nam Pagoda over many centuries.