[Hanoi] Introduction to the Over 1,000-Year-Old Pagoda with Unique Wooden Architecture

Van Nien is a pagoda located on the western shore of West Lake, Hanoi. The pagoda was formerly named Van Tue, belonging to the territory of Quan La Hamlet, now located in Ve Ho Village, Xuan La Ward, Tay Ho District.

Pagoda address: 364 Lac Long Quan Street,  Hanoi

Photos: Tran Thang

Van Nien Pagoda is one of Hanoi's pagodas featuring picturesque scenery along with ancient architecture that preserves many spiritual values. With over a thousand years of history, Van Nien Pagoda not only retains traditional, ancient beauty for the Capital's landscape, but also serves as proof of timeless architectural and cultural beauty for generations to come. The pagoda is also a place for spiritual and cultural activities for Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers from near and far.

Let's explore the history and architecture of the thousand-year-old Van Nien Pagoda to learn more about one of the ancient temples representing the capital. 

According to legend, the pagoda dates back to 1014 during the Thuan Thien era of the Ly Dynasty, when Zen Master Huu Nhai Tang requested the King to establish an ordination hall at Van Nien Pagoda to gather monks for ordination. The King issued a decree to construct the pagoda, making it a sacred venue for ordination. It was also home to successive eminent abbots such as Master Lam Tue Sinh and Master Ly Thao Duong. 

In ancient times, the pagoda belonged to the Thao Duong sect. Its recent abbots include Most Venerable Thich Vien Thanh (1950 – 2002) and Venerable Thich Minh Tue. The pagoda belongs to the Huong Tich lineage and is one of the temples following Tantric Buddhism.

Van Nien Pagoda in Hanoi was recognized as a National Artistic Monument by the Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism in 1996.

This ancient pagoda is also a stopover for many visitors coming to enjoy the scenery and pay homage to the cluster of palaces, temples, and pagodas around West Lake in the thousand-year-old Capital. The inscription on the bronze bell Van Nien Tu Chung cast during the Gia Long reign states: Van Nien Pagoda is an ancient monument of grand scale, a major historical scenic spot in the west of Thang Long Citadel.

Architecture of the Tantric Van Nien Pagoda
To date,  Van Nien Pagoda has undergone a history of over 1,000 years with numerous restorations and renovations. Nevertheless, the pagoda retains its ancient and unique architectural and cultural beauty in the heart of a modern and developing capital. The largest restoration of the pagoda took place around the 19th century during the Nguyen Dynasty. Therefore, to this day, it still retains the characteristic style of Nguyen Dynasty temples with main structures such as the Tam Quan (Three-entrance) Gate, the main pagoda area (Mother Goddess Shrine), the Monks' quarters, and auxiliary buildings.

The Tam Quan Gate consists of 2 gates: a main gate on the shore of West Lake and a side gate on Lac Long Quan Street. The newly built side gate is made entirely of wood, creating solemnity and majesty. The main gate was originally built of brick and lime, with three seal characters Van Nien Tu embossed on the roof along with patches of moss testifying to the pagoda's thousand-year age. Today, the main gate has been restored using wood to match the architecture of the side gate.

Passing through the Tam Quan Gate, visitors can admire the spacious pagoda courtyard, constructed and arranged in an extremely solemn, clean, and pleasant manner. Most prominent in the courtyard is the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, whose construction was initiated by abbot Thich Minh Tue.

The statue is nearly 1.5 meters tall and weighs nearly 600 kilograms, carved from a single block of precious stone without any joinery. This statue was inaugurated on Vu Lan Festival (the 15th day of the 7th lunar month) after 2 years of crafting, witnessed by numerous Buddhists and visitors. Next to the statue is a crystal-clear fish pond stocked with precious fish, creating a peaceful sanctuary. Looking across, all the altar halls in the pagoda are built facing East to catch the light. 

Van Nien Pagoda dedicates its main temple area to Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh. The main hall consists of 5 compartments with architecture where doors, floors, cabinets, and altars are almost entirely crafted from natural wood. As a result, a delicate, pleasant scent of wood and incense always lingers in the air, creating a serene feeling. 

The pagoda currently preserves a collection of relics including 46 statues from the Ly Dynasty and 10 royal decrees from the Le and Tay Son periods, along with 2 bells cast entirely in bronze during the Nguyen Dynasty. 

Xem chỉ đường tới 364 Đường Lạc Long Quân, Nhật Tân, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội, Vietnam