1 Introducing Dong Yen Tu Pagoda
1.1 Where is Dong Pagoda?
Address: Nam Mau Village, Thuong Yen Cong Commune, Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province.
Nestled atop a high mountain, Dong Yen Tu Pagoda is a source of pride for Vietnam's Buddhist culture. This is where the Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong renounced his throne to pursue spiritual practice and establish the distinctive Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect, which is widely practiced in Vietnam. The pagoda features unique architecture made entirely of bronze and stands atop the area's highest mountain. As a result, it is known as the largest bronze pagoda in Vietnam and Asia. It is also the product of the dedication and skill of thousands of builders. 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, pay their respects, and pray while traveling in Ha Long.
The unique Dong Pagoda sits atop a high mountain, shrouded in mist throughout the year
1.2 The best time to visit the pagoda
Yen Tu Pagoda is an ideal destination for anyone who loves exploring natural beauty and Buddhist culture. You can visit Yen Tu Pagoda whenever you like, as the air here is always fresh and cool. If you want to take part in the Yen Tu Festival, visit the pagoda between the 10th day of the first lunar month and the end of the third lunar month. However, keep in mind that the pagoda gets very crowded during this period, so getting around and finding accommodation may be difficult. Be sure to prepare and plan your trip, and choose where to eat and stay in advance 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 Vietnam's history and Buddhist faith. It was built in the 17th century at the order of a consort of Lord Trinh, but was later destroyed by natural disasters and human activity. In 1930, the pagoda was rebuilt using concrete and copper reinforcement. It was not until 2005 that the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee restored the pagoda according to its original design. Its formal name is Thien Truc Tu, meaning the abode of the Buddha Tathagata and a supreme place. People believe that Dong Yen Tu Pagoda can summon wind and rain, bring rain to the country, and serve as a place to seek the universe's vital energy for life.
This bronze pagoda is closely associated with a long history
2 How to get to Dong Pagoda
According to the MIA.vn travel guide, if you are traveling by private vehicle, you can take one of two routes:
- Option 1: From Hanoi, head toward Bac Ninh, then follow National Highway 18 to Trinh Temple. From there, turn left and continue for about 10 km to reach the Yen Tu spiritual tourism area. You can also travel from Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, or Thai Binh to Uong Bi, pass the junction of National Highway 10 and National Highway 18, then continue along the same route to your destination.
- Option 2: If you are traveling by coach, take a route to Quang Ninh that stops at Trinh Temple. From there, continue by motorbike taxi or regular taxi to the Yen Tu tourist area.
Once you reach the Yen Tu tourist area, you can get up to the pagoda either on foot or by cable car. If you walk, you will have to tackle many steep, rocky, and uneven stretches, but you will also enjoy the full beauty of the mountains, forests, and pagodas along the way. The cable car, on the other hand, saves time and energy but means missing part of the pilgrimage experience. You can choose either option or combine the two to reach Dong Yen Tu Pagoda.
The route to the pagoda is challenging, but many people brave the journey to pay their respects
3 Admire Dong Pagoda's unique architecture
3.1 The largest bronze pagoda in Asia
At the summit of Yen Tu stands a magnificent bronze pagoda, shining like a precious gem. This is Dong Pagoda, a unique work of art created by the skilled artisans of Y Yen, Nam Dinh. They based its design on Keo Pagoda in Bac Ninh to create this remarkable structure. Dong Pagoda weighs as much as 70 tons. Though modest in area, it is sturdy and stands majestically atop a high, rocky peak. The pagoda features Tran Dynasty architectural styling, with flowing lines and delicate patterns on its roof and eaves. According to MIA.vn, pure copper imported from Australia was used to build the pagoda, with 4,000 components, the heaviest weighing 1.4 tons. After many meticulous and careful stages of construction, Dong Pagoda took on the appearance of a golden lotus atop a sacred mountain.
This bronze pagoda is renowned as the largest in Asia
The interior is simple, yet impressive, with most of its furnishings made of bronze
Looking up from below, you will see the pagoda shrouded in mist, like a celestial paradise
3.2 A pagoda shrouded in mist throughout the year
Mist envelops 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 rises like a giant lotus perched on a rocky peak. Each rock slab resembles a radiant lotus petal, while Dong Pagoda sits at the center of the lotus. To the east is a gently sloping rocky hillside; to the west is a sheer, perilous cliff, making the route here extremely challenging and so narrow that there is only room for one foot at a time. As you climb to Dong Yen Tu Pagoda, you may feel as though you are walking through the clouds to some distant celestial paradise.
Mist, fog, and wind embrace this destination throughout the year
3.3 Join the Yen Tu Pagoda Festival
From the first to the third lunar month, Dong Pagoda holds a festival that welcomes millions of pilgrims. The festival begins with a solemn ceremony led by local residents at the foot of the mountain, followed by a journey to the summit of Yen Son. This distinctive spiritual and cultural tradition captivates countless visitors from Vietnam and abroad.
Every year, when the Dong Yen Tu Pagoda Festival comes around, people flock here from all over to take part
4 Things to keep in mind when visiting
- Wear modest, respectful clothing and avoid revealing outfits to show respect for the Buddha and the monks and nuns.
- Remember to bring a jacket, as temperatures at the mountaintop can be quite cold, especially in winter.
- Do not litter, damage the natural surroundings, or touch or cause damage to Dong Pagoda. Help preserve the cleanliness, dignity, and serenity of this place.
- You can pray, light incense, and make offerings at Dong Pagoda to express your devotion to the Buddha and the monks and nuns. This is a place to pray for peace, good fortune, love, prosperity, or anything else you wish for. Dong Pagoda is said to grant the wishes of those who pray there and is renowned as a sacred site in Ha Long.
Your challenging journey to Dong Pagoda will be easier if you keep these tips in mind
5 Conclusion
It would be a real shame to visit Ha Long without taking the opportunity to explore and admire the distinctive architecture of Dong Yen Tu Pagoda. Before setting out, be sure to save its address in your MIA.vn travel guide so you don't forget to visit. Have a wonderful trip to Ha Long with your friends and family, and make many unforgettable memories along the way.
