About this activity

Hanoi is always a great destination for Buddhists with many ancient pagodas and temples. Most of the old pagodas are located around West Lake. Especially, nowhere else is better than Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest one in Hanoi, if you are interested in Buddhism.

Tran Quoc Pagoda is more than 1500 years old, which means the place holds such an important role in the development of Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular. That is the main reason why the temple attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.

Tran Quoc Pagoda History

Tran Quoc Pagoda was built in 541 and completed in 545 under the reign of King Ly Nam De. At that time it was called Khai Quoc Pagoda (Khai Quoc means National Founder). This Buddhist temple has been modified a number of times over the years.

It now sits on an islet in West Lake, the largest lake in Hanoi, but was originally built on the banks of the Red River. When the riverbank crumbled after many years and was effecting the temple, it was moved to Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) islet in 1615, under the reign of King Le Kinh Tong. Since then, the name has been changed to Tran Quoc (National Defense).

Monks have lived at the Tran Quoc Pagoda for many centuries, teaching Buddhism to the locals of Hanoi. Because of the stunning surroundings by the lake and a lot of greenery, the Tran Quoc Pagoda was also the favorite spot among the kings and royal families for events, festivals, Tet New Year and full moons.

Architecture and Structure

Famous for sacred sanctuary and stunning scenery, Tran Quoc Pagoda used to be a favorite place for sightseeing of many kings of Vietnam in special festivals such as Tet holiday and full moon days. More than 1000 years have passed, the pagoda still preserves its fame and unique characteristics in its architecture in spite of urbanization.

Thanks to its advantageous location just right beside the dazzling West Lake and on an island which is linked by a bridge between the two most romantic lakes of Hanoi, which are Truc Bach Lake and West Lake, the pagoda attracts a lot of tourists each day.

Tran Quoc has special architecture which resembles that of ancient temples in Hanoi. It bears the bold Buddist architectural image with many layers of buildings. You can see it clearly through the three main houses of the pagoda. Why are there 3 main houses? Because Vietnamese believe number 3 represents luck and prosperity.

Its entrance is a unique point of the pagoda. When seeing the gate from afar, it looks deflected, but there is no sense of it at all when approaching there.

Going through the gate, you need to follow the way which is paved with red brick to see the interior space. 

• Tien Duong (the Front House) is located in front of the bell tower and faces the west. In front of the Front House, there is an incense burner in the yard so the Buddhists and tourists can thurify.
• Nha To (the Ancestor House) is on the right of Tien Duong, worshipping the previous generation of monks.
• Nha Bia (the Stele House) is on the left of Tien Duong, holding 14 important steles engraved from 1813 to 1815. It shows the renovating process of the pagoda after a long time in ruin.

The three main houses are connected and make the pagoda look like a blooming lotus. It can be said that Tran Quoc pagoda is a harmonious combination of the serene ambiance of green garden, far-flung lake, and ancient and imposing architecture. That’s why it was recognized as a national monument in cultural and historical values by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1962.

Visiting Tran Quoc Pagoda

Dress code

Like all the temples in Vietnam, is it respectful to dress politely. This means nothing more than that your knees and shoulders are covered. For example, you can simply wrap a scarf or sarong around you if you are wearing shorts or sleeveless shirt.

Entrance fee

There is no admission fee, only donation based.

Opening hours

Every day from 7:30am to 6:00pm.

Location

Thanh Nien, Truc Bach, Ba Dình, Hanoi

Best time to visit

The Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Hanoi. It is also the best time to take the stunning photos of the island with the pagoda. Otherwise, the morning is also a good time, as it can still get quite busy during the day.

Other things to do around Tran Quoc Pagoda

Tran Quoc Pagoda is located directly on West Lake, the largest lake in Hanoi. It’s too big to walk all the way around it, but it’s definitely recommended to walk a bit around the lake. It is located slightly outside the center, so you can see the real local life around the lake, especially in the evening. Many locals around the lake come here to socialize, exercise and unwind from the busy city life.

Ba Dinh Square is less than 2 kilometer walking from the temple. Here you will find the famous Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential palace, One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh Museum. You can therefore perfectly combine Tran Quoc Pagoda with West Lake with this area.