Vietnamese Pagoda

Yen Tu Pagoda

Zen atmosphere of Yen Tu is at the Yen Tu mountain peak, overlooking forests of Hanoi and Halong Bay, 110 km of capital. A 280,000 VND ticket is a way for exploring this pagoda.

Exploring Yen Tu

A best way is Dong Trieu-Cam Pha bus – Uong Bi. To get there, get a taxi to the foothills, which is a 10 km ride. Here, an exiting cable car costs 280,000 VND/ person. At Yen Tu mountain, see Chua Dong.

• Location: Thượng Yên Công, Đỉnh Yên Tử 1068m, Tp. Uông Bí, Quảng Ninh Province

Truc Lam

Outside Da Lat, a Zen Buddhist monastery close to the Lake of Tuyen Lam has about 100 monks & nuns. Truc Lam follows zen ritual. It combines 3 sects of zen that have come from ancient China. Emperor Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308) created a fusion, he left his throne for traveling throughout his country as a monk.

Exploring Truc Lam

Da Lat’s dry season gives enough opportunity for exploration, spanning from December – March. Explore Truc Lam starting from Robin Hill, take a cable car ride till Truc Lam. Here a ticket costs 70,000 VND. A taxi back to Da Lat is VND 100,000. Few manners has to be follwed, like modestly dressing oneself when you are with a company of monks.

• Location: Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Da Lat.
• Price: cable car 70,000 VND
• Hours: 07:30-11.30 and 13.30-17:00, daily

Chùa Một Cột

In Huong Son, at Hanoi, the Chùa Một Cộtthis is a important site. Families come here to pray. Built in 1049, King Ly Thai Tong, Chùa Một Cột was commissioned as a token of gratitude for Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. After the construction, he married and had a son. The birth of his son was attributed on One Pillar Pagoda. At the time of war, it was destroyed and got rebuilt in last 1000 years. In 1955, French destroyed Chùa Một Cột in 1st Indochina War. A replica got made in Ho Chi Minh in 1960s.

Exploring One Pillar

It is located adjacent to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex. It’s worth checking out, located outside of Hanoi. M/s Vajra Travel provides gateways in the winter season, but you’ll have no problem in the summer season.

• Location: Chùa Một Cột, Đội Cấn, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
• Price: 25,000 VND
• Hours: 08:00-11.30 daily and 14:00-16:00 Tue-Thu, Sat & Sun

Keo Pagoda

Keo was build in 1061 at Vu Thu, Thai Binh Province of Northern Vietnam, by Ly Dynasty close to the Red River. It is recognized in Vietnam for hosting the Autumn festival, that attracts 30,000 people. According to legend, a fisherman got enlightenment in 11 CE. as a Buddhist monk. That monk was Duong Khong Lo (1016-1094). When King Ly Nhanh Tong (1066-1127) was suffering from leprosy, Duong Khong Lo saved him. Now, the residents of Vu Thu celebrate this fisherman turned monk with Autumn festival in September.

Exploring Keo Pagoda

Time for exploring Keo is in winter season.(November – March). In summer, heat & rain slows down your exciting trip at Keo. Ride on a bus from Hanoi, then a motorbike to navigate the area.

• Location: ĐT220B, làng Keo, Duy Nhất, Vũ Thư, Thái Bình
• Hours: varies

Perfume Pagoda

75 km south of Hanoi at the Hatay Province, one of the biggest complex in Vietnam, a pilgrimage destination, the Pagoda was intricately built into the limestone cliffs at Perfume Mountain, Huong Tich. Bring hiking shoes for exploring inside of Huong Tich Cave.

Exploring Perfume Pagoda

As a pilgrimage destination, it is crowded. New Year attracts a huge crowd. Avoid traveling in late January – February. A cable car or walk up towards the Perfume Pagoda. An entire day can be spend here, as the size of the complex & 4 hour drive need an entire day. A bus for 1-2 travelers is economical. Have your budget for a 5 hour trip directly from Hanoi. Catch a boat to the site after taking a cab to My Duc.

• Location: Hương Sơn, Mỹ Đức, Hanoi
• Price: admission is included in most tour guides ($20-$30)

Temple of Literature

It is featured on 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote. A Confucian temple founded in 1070. The style dates back to the Ly & Tran dynasties. Inside, five courtyards with resting areas for monks & scholars is here. Well of Heavenly Clarity is at another courtyard. Watch carved motifs showing blue turtles inscribed with names of 1306 doctorate students. The fourth courtyard has altars of 72 decorated students. The last courtyard is Quoc Tu Giam (Imperial Academy). A stone wall records laureates.

Exploring Temple of Literature

It’s at the heart of Hanoi. Agency suggests allowing 45 min to check out. It is at the middle of Hanoi city, so M/s Vajra Travel recommends taxi ride to reach at the site. Save your rupees for a more complex trip.

• Location: 58 Quốc Tử Giám, Văn Miếu, Đống Đa, Hà Nội
• Price: 30,000 VND for adults, 15,000 VND for students
• Hours: 08:00 – 15:00, daily