With a travel itinerary to Hanoi, there are a lot of amazing tourist attractions in Hanoi to visit. A journey to Vietnam, a country experienced a long history with its own distinct traditional customs of thousands of years, most visitors are impressed by myriad number of old temples, churches, pagodas. These places are used for praying, worshiping and showing respect for ancestors. For a long time, the existence of these places has become indispensable site in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people. It’s interesting to discover one of those to have a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and you can benefit some useful knowledge from it. With a travel itinerary to Hanoi, there are a lot of amazing tourist attractions in Hanoi to visit. Especially, you should not miss the opportunity to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda– one of the most ancient temples that has been restored and exists until the present time.
History
Nestled on the eastern shore of stunning West Lake in Thanh Nien Road, Tran Quoc Pagoda was first constructed in 541 under the reign of King Ly Nam De with the very first name Khai Quoc which means National Founder. Until the 15th century, the pagoda was rebuilt under the reign of Le Thai Tong. The pagoda was again renamed and it was finally called Tran Quoc Pagoda.
With a long-lasting existence of more than 1,500 years, Tran Quoc Pagoda is still against the time to be one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam.
Highlights of Tran Quoc Pagoda
Characterized as a sacred sanctuary, Tran Quoc Pagoda used to be a place frequently visited by kings and lords in special occasions and festivals including full moon days or the Lunar New Year. Despite being partly affected by the integration of modernization and urbanization, the pagoda still remains its fame to be one of the top tourist destinations in Hanoi.
One of the highlights that makes Tran Quoc Pagoda stand out of the crowd lies in its ancient and unique architecture. The pagoda is a complex of over 3,000 square meters with Buddhist-style design. One of the most outstanding features of the Hanoi’s oldest pagoda is represented by a high stupa with a total of 11 floors. Moreover, you can also easy catch in your eyes the image of a nine-story lotus on the top of the pagoda.
Your trip to Tran Quoc pagoda also gives you a first-hand experience of exploring valuable antiques dating back thousands of years ago and learning about Vietnam’s history as well as Vietnamese people. Do not miss this opportunity to head to Tran Quoc Pagoda to enjoy the beauty of not only tranquil natural landscape but also of historic culture.
Note: The pagoda is daily opened, so you can visit the pagoda at your convenience. However, you should bear in mind that visitors should be simple attired and men should wear long trousers. One more thing is that you do not have to pay anything to get into the pagoda, thus plan your time and visit it during the day until late afternoon.
For a hassle-free and secure exploration of Vietnam, reputable Vietnam tour companies can provide valuable insights into local practices, ensuring a safe and enjoyable travel experience.