1 Introduction to Dong Yen Tu Pagoda
1.1 Where is Dong Pagoda located?
Address: Nam Mau Village, Thuong Yen Cong Commune, Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province.
Hidden atop a high mountain, Dong Yen Tu Pagoda is a source of pride in Vietnamese Buddhist culture. This is where Buddha King Tran Nhan Tong gave up the throne to practice Buddhism and founded the unique Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect, which also became widespread in Vietnam. This pagoda features a special design made entirely of bronze and stands on the highest mountain peak in the area. As a result, this destination is known as the largest bronze pagoda in Vietnam and Asia. It is also the result of the efforts and talent of thousands of construction workers. More than a symbol of art and engineering, Dong Pagoda is a sacred and mysterious place that attracts millions of visitors each year to sightsee, worship, and pray whenever they travel to Ha Long.
The unique Dong Pagoda sits on a mountain peak shrouded in mist all year round
1.2 The ideal time to visit the pagoda
Yen Tu Pagoda is an ideal destination for those who enjoy exploring the beauty of nature and Buddhist culture. You can visit Yen Tu Pagoda whenever you like because the air here is always fresh and cool. If you want to attend the Yen Tu Festival, you should visit the pagoda from the 10th day of the first lunar month until the end of the third lunar month. However, you should also note that this is a time when very large numbers of people visit the pagoda, so you may encounter difficulties getting around and finding accommodation. Therefore, prepare and plan your trip, and choose dining and accommodation locations in advance at home to make your exploration more convenient.
You can visit Dong Pagoda at any time, but consider going during the festival season
1.3 The history of Dong Pagoda
Dong Yen Tu Pagoda is a symbol of the history and Buddhist faith of Vietnam. This is where the consort of Lord Trinh had the pagoda built in the 17th century, but it was later destroyed by natural disasters and human activity. In 1930, the pagoda was rebuilt with concrete reinforced with bronze. It was not until 2005 that the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee restored the pagoda according to the original design. The pagoda's Sino-Vietnamese name is Thien Truc Tu, meaning the place where the Buddha Như Lai resides and the supreme position. It is believed that Dong Yen Tu Pagoda can command the wind and rain, bring rain to the country, and serve as a place to draw cosmic vitality for life.
This bronze pagoda is closely associated with a long history of development
2How to get to Dong Pagoda
According to the MIA.vn travel guide, if you travel by private vehicle, you can take two routes:
- Option 1: From Hanoi, travel toward Bac Ninh and then follow National Highway 18 to Trinh Temple. From here, turn left and continue for about 10km to reach the Yen Tu spiritual tourism area. You can also depart from Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, or Thai Binh, travel to Uong Bi, pass the intersection of National Highway 10 and National Highway 18, and then continue along the initial route to reach your destination.
- Option 2: If you travel by coach, you can take a route to Quang Ninh that stops at Trinh Temple. Then take a motorbike taxi or taxi to the Yen Tu tourism area.
Once you have arrived at the Yen Tu tourism area, you can get up here in two ways: on foot or by cable car. If you walk, you will have to cross many steep, rocky, and rugged sections, but you will also be able to enjoy the full beauty of the forests and pagodas along the way. Meanwhile, taking the cable car will save you time and energy, but you will miss part of the pilgrimage experience. You can choose either method or combine both to reach Dong Yen Tu Pagoda.
The route to the pagoda is quite difficult, but many people are still undeterred by the hardships and come here to worship
3Admire the unique architecture of Dong Pagoda
3.1 The largest bronze pagoda in Asia
Atop Yen Tu is a magnificent bronze pagoda gleaming like a precious gem. This is Dong Pagoda—an exceptional work of art created by craftsmen with skillful hands in Y Yen, Nam Dinh. They based the design on Keo Pagoda in Bac Ninh to create this special pagoda. Dong Pagoda weighs up to 70 tons. Although its area is not very large, it is sturdy and stands majestically atop the high rocky mountain. The pagoda features Tran Dynasty architectural style, with curving lines and delicate patterns on the roof and finials. According to MIA.vn's research, pure bronze imported from Australia was used to build the pagoda, comprising 4000 components, the heaviest of which weighs 1.4 tons. Through numerous meticulous and careful stages, Dong Pagoda has taken on the beauty of a golden lotus atop the sacred mountain.
This is the bronze pagoda known as the largest in Asia
Inside, the pagoda has a simple design but remains impressive because most of the furnishings are made of bronze
Looking up from below, you will see the pagoda enveloped in mist, resembling a fairyland in the clouds
3.2 The pagoda shrouded in mist all year round
Mist covers the summit of Yen Son all year round, so Dong Pagoda had to be built using special methods to withstand the harsh weather. The pagoda was constructed like a giant lotus resting on a high rock. Each rock slab resembles a brilliant lotus petal, while Dong Pagoda sits in the middle of the lotus. To the east is a gently sloping rocky hillside, while to the west is a steep and perilous cliff, making the route here extremely arduous—so narrow that it is only wide enough for one foot. When climbing to Dong Yen Tu Pagoda, you may feel as though you are passing through the clouds to some distant fairyland.
This destination is embraced by mist, fog, and wind all year round
3.3 Attend the Yen Tu Pagoda Festival
From the first to the third lunar month, Dong Pagoda holds a festival to welcome millions of pilgrims. The festival begins with a solemn ceremony conducted by local people at the foot of the mountain, followed by a journey to the summit of Yen Son. This is a distinctive spiritual and cultural beauty of the region that captivates countless domestic and international visitors.
Every year, when the Dong Yen Tu Pagoda Festival arrives, people from everywhere eagerly flock here to take part
4Some notes for visiting this place
- You should wear respectful, modest clothing and avoid revealing outfits to show respect for the Buddha and the monks and nuns.
- Don't forget to bring a jacket because temperatures on the high mountain peak can be quite cold, especially in winter.
- Do not litter, damage the landscape or environment, or touch or cause damage to Dong Pagoda. You should preserve the cleanliness, solemnity, and tranquility of this place.
- You can pray, burn incense, and make offerings at Dong Pagoda to express your reverence for the Buddha and the monks and nuns. This is a place where you can pray for peace, good fortune, love, prosperity, or anything else you desire. Dong Pagoda is believed to be a place where prayers are answered and is renowned for its sacredness in Ha Long.
Your arduous journey to explore Dong Pagoda will become easier if you take note of some of the experiences above
5Conclusion
Having set foot in Ha Long but missing the opportunity to visit and admire the distinctive architecture of Dong Yen Tu Pagoda would be truly regrettable. Therefore, before setting out to explore this place, don't forget to note its address in the MIA.vn travel guide so you won't forget to visit. We wish you a wonderful Ha Long trip with your friends and family, along with many memorable experiences after your journey.
