Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi

The Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on a small peninsula between the West Lake and Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi, is the oldest pagoda in Vietnam. It was constructed in the 6th Century, during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De, who was also called the Khai Quoc ( National Founder).

The Tran Quoc pagoda is built in the tradition of the Indian Stupa. It is a tall, tower like structure where religious relics were placed for veneration. The architecture used for the pagoda itself and surrounding structures is in harmony with nature and adds to the natural setting without disturbing the scenery. The ancient pagoda underwent extensive restoration in 1815. It now has a triple gate, sitting room, an ancestor worship chamber and a garden tower. The ancient corridors, ten shrines and a belfry are carefully preserved. The pagoda has many statues including a lacquer and gold statue of the Buddha and many steles including a stele depicting the history of the Pagoda by Nguyen Xuan Chinh crafted in 1639. The Bodhi tree in the gardens, grafted from the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, was a gift from the Government of India during the visit of their first president in 1959.

The Tra Quoc Pagoda is a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism and remains a place of pilgrimage. International visitors are required to follow a strict dignified dress code and men and women are expected to cover their legs when visiting the temple.