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Explore top 5 spiritual destinations in Vietnam

Fri, 09 Jan 2015. Last updated Fri, 19 Oct 2018 15:36

Spiritual sites have been always indispensable destinations in Vietnam. Visitors come here to explore other cultures and receive meaningful messages. AloTrip suggests some top spiritual places to make your holiday unforgettable.

Have you ever heard about Spiritual Tourism? It has been developing in other countries such as India, Japan, China, and Thailand and now becomes a new trend of Vietnam tours. Annually, many tours are organized for visitors to pilgrimage to top famous spiritual destinations in Vietnam. To meet the demand on traveling to outstanding religious tourist sites in Vietnam, AloTrip – a favorable travel advisor with its official website as alotrip.com – recommends some most visited pagodas in the country.

1. One Pillar Pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda - Hanoi

One Pillar Pagoda is situated in Hanoi. It is one of the most favorite attractions in the city. Located in the complex of Ho Chi Minh historical relics, One Pillar Pagoda owns itself an outstanding religious and spiritual beauty. One Pillar Pagoda has only one part lying on a stone pillar in the middle of a lotus lake. Legendarily, the temple was built as the dream of King Ly Thai Tong (1028-1054). In 1049, the King dreamed of Guanyin seating on a lotus and leading him to the main part. After telling a monk about the dream, he was recommended to build a temple on a stone pillar amid a lotus lake. The temple is seen as a lotus of Guanyin on the column as seen in the dream. Therefore, the pagoda was named Dien Huu Pagoda, and then it was renamed Chua Mot Cot (One Pillar Pagoda).

Every year on the 8th day of the fourth lunar month, the King used to come to the pagoda to conduct religious ceremony, along with monks and people around Thang Long Citadel. One Pillar Pagoda is also chosen as one of the most outstanding symbols of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. In Thu Duc District in Ho Chi Minh City, there is another version of One Pillar Pagoda. In addition, in Moscow, the capital of Russia, another version of One Pillar Pagoda constructed in Hanoi - Moscow Culture - Commerce - Hotel Complex. It is the biggest work of Vietnamese people in overseas. One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi was voted as one of the most impressive pagodas in the region and in the world. It is among the most popular stopover in Vietnam tour packages.

2. Perfume Pagoda

Thien Tru Pagoda in Perfume Pagoda complex

Ranking the second, Perfume Pagoda is one of the most famous pagodas in Vietnam. It appeals visitors and pilgrims by its long-lasting existence and architecture. It is a Vietnamese religious and cultural complex which comprises tens of Buddhist pagodas and temples. The center of Perfume Pagoda is located in Huong Son Commune, My Duc in Hanoi, near the bank of Day River. The pagoda was constructed in late 17th century. Then, it was destroyed in the French resistance war in 1947. In 1988, the pagoda was rebuilt. Annually, from the 6th day of the first lunar month to the third lunar month, Perfume Pagoda Festival takes place. In spring, Perfume Pagoda becomes more beautiful with the change of natural landscapes and the coziness atmosphere in the pagoda.

3. Yen Tu Pagoda

People worship at Yen Tu Pagoda

Yen Tu Pagoda is located in Yen Tu Mountain (Quang Ninh) which is a high mountain range in the Northeast of Vietnam. The mountain has a diverse flora and fauna system which is recognized as a Natural Reserve area. Yen Tu Mountain currently restores a series of cultural historical relics associated with the formation and development of Truc Lam Yen Tu Buddhist Zen. Yen Tu became a center of Buddhism when King Tran Nhan Tong renounced his throne and decided to become a monk and establish Truc Lam Yen Tu Buddhist Zen - Vietnamese Buddhism. Yen Tu Festival is held from the 10th day of the first lunar month to the end of the 3rd lunar month. In Vietnam travel, it is favorable to visit Yen Tu Pagoda all year round. It takes less time to reach the pagoda by traveling by cable car. Thus, visitors have more time to admire the natural landscapes with majestic mountains and magnificent sightseeing. Especially, on beautiful day, it is easily for visitors to contemplate wonderful Halong beach from cable car. 

4. Bai Dinh Pagoda

View from Bai Dinh Pagoda

Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh is the biggest pagoda in South East Asia. Every year, Bai Dinh Pagoda is open at the beginning of the spring, welcoming millions of pilgrims. Bai Dinh Pagoda is an enormous pagoda complex which is well-known for many records such as the biggest pagoda in Vietnam, the pagoda having the biggest gilded bronze Buddha Statue in Asia, and the pagoda having the longest Arhat corridor in Asia, etc. Bai Dinh Pagoda had chances to be great venue to hold important events of Buddhism as Vesak Festival. Bai Dinh Pagoda is located at the western gate of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. It is about 15km from Ninh Binh City, and 95km from Hanoi.

5. Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu is the oldest, the most monumental, and the most beautiful pagoda in Hue. Thien Mu Pagoda was built on Ha Khe Hill in Huong Long Commune, about 5km from Hue city center to the west. The story of the beauty spot is a legend. Legend has it that there was a fairy appeared on Ha Khe Hill, she notified local residents that God would build a Buddhist temple here. Since then, the hill is Thien Mu Mountain. Undergoing many dynasties, the pagoda was maintained and restored, which contributed to the magnificence of Thien Mu Pagoda. Todays, Thien Mu Pagoda becomes one of unique Vietnam pagodas and a should-not-miss spot when traveling Hue City.

If traveling Vietnam in New Year’s holiday, tourists, especially foreigners will have an opportunity to participate in activities of spiritual tourism in Vietnam. Recently, the roads to spiritual tourist sites have been upgraded to create convenient conditions for visitors and pilgrims to attend, explore local culture, enjoy wonderful scenery of natural landscape, and perceive meaningful lessons and messages in life.

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