Having become a traditional beauty, many Vietnamese families go to the pagodas to pray for good luck for both families and relatives.
Here are the most attractive spiritual tourist attractions in Hanoi that you can visit right this weekend.
1. Tran Quoc Pagoda
Combined with the elegant and harmonious landscape of the poetic West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda has been ranked one of the 16 most beautiful temples in the world, voted by the newspaper Dailymail in 2016.
Visiting this ancient temple in Hanoi, with its famous architectural beauty, is also an interesting experience to start a new year and your trips to explore Vietnam.
>>> You may want to check the holy temples in Hanoi to pray for love.
2. Quan Su Pagoda
Built in the reign of King Le The Tong (1442 -1497), Quan Su Pagoda is more than 500 years old.
Formerly the headquarters of the entire Buddhist Association of Tonkin, now the center of the Vietnamese Buddhist Church, this temple has witnessed various historical events of Buddhism in the country. The most typical example is the unity of Buddhism in Vietnam and the integration between Buddhism in the country and Buddhism in the world.
When visiting Quan Su Pagoda, you will be immersed in a solemn, tranquil historical space. You can study the enjoyable couplets and pray for a happy life and a prosperous year.
3. Ngoc Son Temple
For a long time, Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, But Tower, and Ink Box in Hoan Kiem Lake have become famous architectural complexes, considered symbols of Hanoi City by domestic and international tourists.
Rarely is an architectural ensemble that converges solemnity, spiritual feature and harmony, and architectural and artistic specialties.
Here, you can pray for fame and a promising career in front of the literary governing god Van Xuong De Quan while admiring the poetic landscape or meditating on the meanings of these relics.
4. Quan Thanh Temple
Quan Thanh Temple is a place of worship for Huyen Thien Tran Vu, one of the four gods who defended the ancient Thang Long Citadel.
Along with Bach Ma, Voi Phuc, and Kim Lien temples, Quan Thanh temple has become one of “Thang Long Tu Tran,” meaning four holy essential temples in Thang Long- the former name of Hanoi.
A 4m statue of a god staying at the highlight spot in this area is the statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu. In the folk consciousness, this god has many thrilling anecdotes and has repeatedly protected the country.
When you visit the temple, you can admire the architectural, cultural, and artistic values of the relic located on the banks of West Lake.
5. Perfume Pagoda
Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong in Vietnamese) is in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, about 50km from the center of Hanoi.
Most people come to this pagoda to pray for peace and enjoy the poetic scenery of the mountains.
The two main places that attract the most tourists are Huong Tich Cave and Thien Tru Pagoda. The complex of Huong Pagoda still has other famous temples and pagodas, such as Tien Son Cave, Giai Oan Pagoda, and Cua Vo Temple.
The festival of Huong lasts from the 6th of the first lunar month to the end of the third lunar month. This festival attracts thousands of visitors who participate in various activities.
6. Phu Tay Ho
Many believe that coming to Phu Tay Ho can pray for luck and fortune. This place is located on a peninsula of Nghi Tam village, jutting out of West Lake, which is dedicated to Lieu Hanh.
Lieu Hanh is one of the Four Immortals in Vietnamese folk religion and a leading figure in the mother goddess cult, “Đạo Mẫu.”
Visiting Phu Tay Ho, you can also enjoy the fresh air and cool breezes of West Lake, one of the beautiful lakes in Hanoi.
7. Bach Ma Temple
Considered one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Hanoi, Bach Ma Temple is famous for the anecdote of building the citadel of King Ly Thai To. After successful construction, the king set up a temple to thank God Long Do.
The temple still preserves many ancient artifacts and rituals. In the main room, you can admire the magic horses.
If you come on the occasion of the festival, you will see the rituals, learn about the religious culture of the Vietnamese people, pray for peace, and wish your family and relatives good luck.
8. Phuc Khanh Pagoda
Located at 382 Tay Son Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Phuc Khanh Pagoda is a sacred site to the people of Hanoi.
Built under the reign of Hau Le(1428–1789), this famous pagoda was associated with the revolution of King Quang Trung – Nguyen Hue (1753-1792.
The pagoda has become a famous place of worship and good luck in the Hanoi area.
9. One Pillar Pagoda
One Pillar Pagoda, also known as Dien Huu Pagoda, is located in the complex of President Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. It includes a fish pond, Uncle Ho’s stilt house, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which is among the top 10 museums in Hanoi.
The pagoda was built in 1049 under the reign of King Ly Thai Tong (974 – 1028). The temple has only one compartment placed on a pillar in the middle of a lotus lake.
The highlight of the temple lies in its unique texture and architecture, which resembles a lotus on the water. Thus, it is called the One Pillar Pagoda.
10. Dam Temple
Located in Sam Duong village, Ninh So commune, Thuong Tin district, Hanoi, Dam temple has ancient architecture, an open space with many trees, and a lake.
The temple column is made of wood, and the roof is covered with red tiles that have faded from time to time. The temple ground also has many old trees; typically, a banyan tree is over 100 years old.
The Dam Temple Festival is held from the 1st to the 10th of the second of the lunar calendar. During that time, you can see many special rituals and activities at the temple, such as water procession, dragon dance, lion dance, and word drawing.
Visiting Dam Temple, you can find a peaceful and sacred land to pray for good luck and health.
There are different activities in Hanoi, and visiting temples and pagodas is a highlight that will help make your journey more exciting and meaningful.
